Glioblastoma multiforme

Worldwide, there are an estimated 240,000 cases of brain and nervous system tumours per year – GBM is the most common, and the most lethal, of these tumours. The treatment a patient receives depends on the location of the tumour in the brain and their overall health and age, but the current standard of care for GBM is surgery followed by treatment with both chemotherapy and radiotherapy, after which patients continue with chemotherapy alone. Biological therapies (also called targeted therapies) are a relatively new approach to GBM treatment. Unfortunately, most patients ultimately lose their life to GBM; therefore, maintaining optimal quality of life is very important to patients and their caregivers and is a significant consideration when selecting potential treatment options. This review provides an overview of glioblastoma, including its incidence, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options.