A glioblastoma is a tumor that forms in the brain or spinal cord. It starts to grow in cells called astrocytes, which surround neurons, protecting them and supporting their important functions.
Glioblastoma is the most common type of primary brain cancer, which means the tumor forms in the brain rather than spreading from another part of the body. It is also the most aggressive type of brain tumor. But it doesn’t usually spread to other parts of the body, or metastasize, from the brain except in rare cases.
Glioblastomas are malignant, or cancerous, and tend to grow quickly. As they grow, they can mix with healthy tissue and put pressure on parts of the brain or spinal cord. That can lead to neurological symptoms.
Symptoms depend on the location of the tumor and how big and quickly it grows. Some of the possible symptoms of glioblastoma include the following:
- Seizures
- Headaches
- Changes in mental function, mood or personality
- Difficulty speaking or understanding speech
- Sensory changes
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Changes in pulse and breathing rates
If any of these symptoms appear suddenly and severely, you should go to an emergency room right away. If they appear gradually and are not too severe, you should make an appointment with a neurologist as soon as possible to get evaluated.
Glioblastomas eventually can lead to concerning complications, including hemorrhages, fluid buildup, brain herniation and pressure buildup inside the skull.
The Rush MD Anderson Approach to Glioblastoma Care
Finding out that you may have a brain or spinal cord tumor can be concerning for you and your family, and you will likely have many questions. Our glioblastoma experts understand that good communication is of the highest importance during this time and that your quality of life is a top priority.
Your team of brain cancer specialists will include neuro-oncologists, neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists and nurse navigators working together to diagnose your condition, explore all your care options and give you answers. They’ll form a custom treatment plan for you.
Glioblastoma Diagnosis
Your diagnosis will start with a conversation about your medical history and your symptoms. You’ll likely have an exam that will include tests of your vision, hearing, cognition and coordination, among other neurological tests.
From there, your team will take images of your brain, usually through magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI. Some patients may need more imaging tests with computed tomography, or CT scans.
In most cases, patients also need a biopsy. This is a procedure that involves removing a sample of tissue from the tumor for further examination. Sometimes biopsies are done at the same time as surgery to remove the tumor.
Glioblastoma Treatment
Even though there is no cure for glioblastoma, there are many treatments available that can keep tumors under control. New treatments are also being researched all the time.
When your specialists diagnose you, they will work across specialties to advise you on your care options and form a plan.
Your treatment plan may include one or more of the following:
- Medications: You may be prescribed steroids or other medications that relieve symptoms.
- Surgery: Glioblastomas are complex and often difficult tumors to operate on. Our neurosurgeons specialize in using advanced imaging to remove these brain tumors while minimizing effects on surrounding tissue.
- Radiation therapy: Our radiation oncologists also specialize in glioblastoma care. They may use stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), a nonsurgical therapy that sends a precise, high dose of radiation to treat small, well-defined tumors. Another option is image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), which uses advanced imaging techniques to visualize tumors and deliver radiation while adjusting for changes in the tumors during treatment.
- Drug therapy: There are several types of drugs that can be used to treat cancer, including the following:
- Chemotherapy: These drugs can speed up the death of cancer cells or prevent them from dividing and replicating.
- Targeted therapy: Also called directed therapy, this treatment uses genomic tests to find mutations in tumors, allowing neuro-oncologists to prescribe drugs that attack those specific mutations. These drugs also tend to have fewer side effects because they don’t attack noncancerous cells.
- Immunotherapy: These drugs support the immune system’s own ability to attack cancer cells or use antibodies to affect cancer cell proteins.
- Tumor treating fields (TTF): This newer treatment involves wearing a cap that sends low-intensity electrical energy to the brain. It helps prevent cancer cells from dividing and replicating.
Recovering from Awake Brain Surgery at RUSH
Every day we support our patients, their caregivers, like Nick's wife Diane, and the team of clinicians behind the nationally ranked Neurology and Neurosurgery program at Rush. Together, we're taking on the most aggressive and common form of brain cancer.
Second Opinions on Glioblastoma Care at Rush MD Anderson
Glioblastomas are often complicated tumors that can be difficult to properly diagnose and treat, so it’s a good idea to get a second opinion. Our surgeons and radiation oncologists specialize in brain tumors and have extensive experience in advanced diagnostics and care. They can offer a second — or even third — opinion that will help you feel confident in your decisions about treatment and help you explore all possible options.
To get an appointment for an evaluation and second opinion, call Rush at (312) 226-2371 or (312) CANCER-1.
Meet our glioblastoma doctors and specialists
Rush Excellence in Glioblastoma Care
- Among the best in the nation: U.S. News & World Report includes Rush on its Best Hospitals Honor Roll and ranks our neurosurgery and neurology programs among the nation’s best.
- Care for you and your family: Learning that you have a brain or spinal cord tumor can be life-changing for you and your family members. Beyond direct care for glioblastoma, we offer services to help you and your loved ones navigate other physical, emotional and spiritual challenges you may face. You’ll have access to social workers, therapists, nutritionists, integrative medicine specialists, chaplains and care coordinators who can assist you.
- Rush treatment for young adults and children: Rush’s pediatric neuro-oncologists and neurosurgeons are experts in treating young adults and kids who have been diagnosed with glioblastoma. They collaborate to provide personalized care for young patients with a focus on quality of life.
- A team of experts working with you: Your glioblastoma care team will work together across specialties to ensure you have an accurate diagnosis and the most appropriate options for care. These specialists also work with you to educate you about your condition, treatment and what to expect as they form a custom care plan that addresses your unique needs. They’re available any time you or your family have questions or concerns and value open, honest communication.
- Care close to home: RUSH MD Anderson offers full glioblastoma care in Chicago, and there are RUSH MD Anderson locations in Aurora and Oak Park, Illinois, that offer several options for care that you may need. Our physicians also see patients for glioblastoma care in Oak Brook, Illinois, and Munster, Indiana.
FAQs About Glioblastoma
A: Glioblastomas usually have no known cause. There are only a few things that are known to increase risk. Direct radiation exposure to the head can increase risk, although most people who have glioblastomas don’t have a history of such exposure unless they have had radiation therapy for other cancers near the brain. Glioblastomas also don’t generally have a genetic or hereditary link, but they can in rare cases be connected to certain inherited syndromes. Age can also increase risk, as most glioblastomas appear in people aged 50 or older, but they can appear at any age.
A: Symptoms of glioblastoma can vary based on the size, growth and location of the tumor, but they are generally neurological. They can include headaches, weakness, numbness, seizures, cognition problems, vision problems and speech problems among others.
A: Glioblastoma is a type of astrocytoma, a tumor that starts growing in star-shaped glial cells in the cerebrum or cerebellum. It is the most common and aggressive type of astrocytoma.
Astrocytomas are also a type of glioma, which refers to tumors that grow in glial cells in the brain and spinal cord.
A: Most glioblastomas are diagnosed through MRIs and biopsies, but they can also be diagnosed with other kinds of imaging techniques.
A: Treatment options for glioma depend on the location, size and growth of the tumor. They can include surgery, radiation therapy or drug therapy, or a combination of these therapies.
A: Complications of glioblastoma can include brain hemorrhages, fluid buildup in the brain, pressure buildup inside the skull or brain herniation, where brain tissue is pressed into surrounding areas, among others.
A: Because glioblastomas often appear without a known cause or controllable risks, there is no known way to prevent them.
A: The prognosis can vary for patients with glioblastoma. The location, size and growth of the tumor can affect it, as can the patient’s age and health. The prognosis tends to be the best for younger patients. Overall, the five-years survival rate is about 10%.
A: Rush regularly participates in clinical trials for new treatments that innovate care for patients with brain tumors and neurological conditions. You can learn about these on our Clinical Trials and Studies page.
A: Social workers, therapists, nutritionists, integrative medicine specialists and chaplains are all available to support you through your treatment and beyond. You and your family will have dedicated access to your neuro-oncology team 24 hours a day to answer any questions and assist you. We also offer same-day scheduling for MRIs if you need them for your appointments. And we have care coordinators who can help you set up your appointments, obtain any records or documents you’ll need and answer any other questions you have about your scheduled care.
