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Glioblastoma

German clinics are the only hope for a recovery for the patients with glioblastoma. The patients rejected by the leading neuro centers of the capital seek medical help from our center. Only in 2010, our clinic provided a successful treatment to 128 patients from CIS countries (most of them were Russians).

Etiology

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) , also called grade IV astrocytoma is a highly malignant brain tumor. In most cases, this tumor affects men between the ages of 40 and 60 years. It develops from the glial cells of the CNS, which perform both support and differentiation functions for neurons. It is one of the most aggressive neoplasms and, at the same time, the most common one (about 1/5 of all primary intracerebral tumors).

The cause of this tumor has not yet been identified. The theories on harmful effects of the electromagnetic field in the form of mobile communication have not been scientifically confirmed. GBM risk factors include:

  • Age. The tumor commonly develops between the ages of 40 and 60 years.
  • Sex. It is more common in men.
  • Pilocystic and fibrillary astrocytomas (grade I and II). About 10% of gliosarcomas develop from astrocytic tumors with a low degree of malignancy.
  • Diseases that cause genetic disorders. For example, neurofibromatosis.
  • External factors. Effect of ionized radiation and chemicals. (polyvinyl chloride).

Symptoms

The symptoms of glioblastoma are different and depend on the tumor location. The most common symptom is headache, which is associated with increased intracranial pressure. Other manifestations of hypertension include epileptic seizures and dizziness. In addition, patients complain of visual impairment, drowsiness, numbness in the limbs. Glioblastoma can often become large before the first symptoms start manifesting.

Other characteristic symptoms include gradual memory disorder, behavioral and personality changes caused by the damage to the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.

Diagnosis

The tumor can take a different shape. In most cases, its structure is not uniform in the image. The following methods can be used to produce the image:

  • Contrast-enhanced MRI of the brain is the most informative method of diagnosing glioblastoma.
  • The differential diagnosis of glioblastoma from other types of tumors involves the use of SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) and PET.

Since glioblastoma has a non-uniform structure, a single test can show a low degree of malignancy, which does not correspond to the actual aggressiveness of the tumor. Therefore, stereotactic biopsy with the subsequent pathoanatomical analysis is the most reliable method for confirming the diagnosis.

Treatment

The treatment of GBM is complex not only due to a high aggressiveness of the tumor, but also due to a number of its features, including tumor resistance to standard chemotherapy and radiotherapy, deep ingrowth of the neoplasm that complicates its surgical resection. Most Russian hospitals can not go beyond standard therapy, so the patient will either be turned down, or the therapy will be extremely ineffective.

In cooperation with neurosurgical, radiological and other clinics, we provide patients with the full range of modern methods of neurosurgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, as well as innovative types of targeted therapy and immunotherapy. The treatment of the tumor is followed by rehabilitation. Learn more about the features of glioblastoma treatment .

To receive consult on the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme in Germany
Please call: +49 228 972 723 72 or fill in the
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