Glioblastoma and Brain Cancer

 

The Average Person has less than a 1% chance of developing brain cancer (1).

Rare diseases and rare forms of cancer can be even more complex than the common forms. These types frequently impact children and young adults and the warning signs are less frequently screened for. Raising awareness for conditions like these where there’s not just one type of brain cancer, but many forms, is critical for developing treatments, cures, and screenings that are effective at targeting a specific individual’s cancer.

 

Types of
Brain Cancer:

  1. Gliomas: develops in nervous system

  2. Meningioma: develops around brain/spinal cord

  3. Acoustic Neuroma: develops in the nerves associated with hearing

  4. Chordoma: develops in the pituitary gland

  5. Craniopharyngioma: develops in the eye

  6. Germ Cell Tumors

  7. Medulloblastoma: develops in embryonic cells

(2, 3, 4).

What is Glioblastoma?

Glioblastoma, again GBM for short, is an aggressive form of cancer that can occur in the brain or spinal cord and it is considered one of the most common and aggressive malignant brain tumors in adults. The GBM originates from astrocytes which are the connecting cells that hold the nerve in place. In GBM, as the astrocyte begins to take on more of a malignant behavior, it can rapidly start to grow uncontrollably and invade the connecting cells/tissue.

Clover Genetics presents a three-part webinar providing an overview of the genetics, counseling, and experience of those with brain cancer, specifically, glioblastoma (GBM). This video is intended for those wanting to learn more about brain cancer, particularly genetic counselors or students. The personal testimony and questions are appropriate for all, including patients and families. There are areas where in-depth scientific information is discussed, but details and explanations are provided.

 

Sources:

  1. Cancer.net

  2. Zeeva Clinic India

  3. CancerCenter.com

  4. Mayfield Clinic

  5. Hiroko Ohgaki, Paul Kleihues (2013) The Definition of Primary and Secondary Glioblastoma. Clin Cancer Res. 19 (4): 764–772. 

  6. Mao H, Lebrun DG, Yang J, Zhu VF, Li M. (2012) Deregulated signaling pathways in glioblastoma multiforme: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets. Cancer Invest. 3 0(1):48-56.

  7. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2020). Glioblastoma. Mayo Clinic. 

  8. Thakkar, J. P. (n.d.). Glioblastoma multiforme. AANS. 

  9. Verhaak et al (2010) Integrated genomic analysis identifies clinically relevant subtypes of glioblastoma 

    characterized by abnormalities in PDGFRA, IDH1, EGFR, and NF1. Cancer Cell 17:98–110.