Life expectancy with a glioblastoma

introduction

The glioblastoma is the most common malignant (malignant) Adult brain tumor. They make up about half of all malignant tumors that develop from brain tissue. In addition to glioblastoma, there are other astrocytic tumors (so-called Astrocytomas), which differ from one another in terms of mean age of onset, localization, typical symptoms, therapy and life expectancy.

The classification of gliomas is based on the WHO classification into grade 1 (benign, slow growth) to grade 4 (malignant, rapid growth).

The glioblastoma (also due to its inhomogeneous and diverse appearance as Glioblastoma multiforme called) belongs to the tumor group of gliomas (astrocytic tumors). These are derived from cells in the supporting tissue of the brain (Glial cells), which comprise almost 90% of all cells in the brain. Glial cells are mainly located in the white matter of the brain (Brain marrow).

What is the life expectancy with an operation?

In individual cases only surgical removal (Resection) of the tumor should be indicated without subsequent chemotherapy and radiation therapy. This is because the patients are severely restricted in their quality of life due to the sometimes very severe side effects of chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

The mean survival time is therefore usually shorter with surgical removal of the tumor alone than with complete treatment.

As a rule, however, the treatment of a glioblastoma consists of a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. If all steps of this therapy are carried out, the genetic component of the glioblastoma, the so-called one, is influenced MGMT methylation life expectancy. Depending on the genetic component, life expectancy is on average around 1 to 2 years.

What is the life expectancy with a relapse?

The therapy of a glioblastoma consists of the surgical removal of the tumor with subsequent radiation and chemotherapy. As the tumor grows and spreads through the cerebral fluid (Liquor) in more distant areas of the brain, surgical removal can never remove all tumor cells. For this reason occur in the further course of the tumor disease Recurrences (re-growth of the tumor).

The mean life expectancy at the occurrence of a relapse is also around one year. Another surgical removal of the relapse can delay the growth by a few months, but the increase in locally occurring relapses means that no cure is possible. In addition, relapses usually show a poorer response to subsequent chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Depending on the patient, surgical removal is therefore primarily intended to improve quality of life and treat neurological deficits.
Read more on the subject at: Course of a glioblastoma

What is the life expectancy if the glioblastoma is inoperable?

In the case of a glioblastoma that is inoperable due to its location, e.g. if the tumor is too deep or too close to areas that are important for survival, the prognosis is negatively influenced compared to surgically removed glioblastomas. There are not many studies that can make any clear scientific conclusions about this, but it is believed that surgery can increase survival time. The therapy always strives to remove the glioblastoma as completely as possible. If surgical therapy is not possible, treatment in the form of chemotherapy and radiation therapy is usually initiated.

What is life expectancy without treatment?

Due to the very rapid, displacing growth, the life expectancy at diagnosis of a gliobastoma is very short. Within a few weeks, numerous local accumulations of tumor tissue form throughout the brain. The rapid growth leads to an increase in pressure in the bony skull and compression of vital centers in the brain stem (including the respiratory center). The mean survival time without the comprehensive treatment from surgical distance is (Resection), Chemotherapy and radiation therapy only about two months.

Is there a cure?

The cure for a glioblastoma is not possible at the current state of science. The growth of the tumor can only be delayed by surgical removal, chemotherapy and radiation therapy due to the displacing growth and the spread through the cerebral fluid in the entire brain tissue. In individual cases (especially in younger patients under 50 years of age), mean survival times of up to 5 years have been described. The current state of research also shows no promising therapy that could lead to a cure for glioblastoma.

Read more on the topic: Glioblastoma - course of the individual stages

Division and classification

Grade 4

Glioblastoma (WHO grade 4) is one of the malignant brain tumors. Due to the very rapid and displacing growth, it has a very poor prognosis. Glioblastomas usually only develop in advanced adulthood (around the age of 60). The initial symptoms depend on the location of the tumor. The rapid growth of the tumor results in a rapid increase in pressure within the skull, which compresses other areas of the brain. As a result, symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and severe headaches are possible. In the further course of the growth, impaired consciousness and, if the brain stem is trapped, respiratory paralysis can occur.

The therapy of choice is surgical removal in combination with radiation and chemotherapy, taking into account the localization, the size of the tumor and the general condition of the patient. This can slow down the growth of the tumor and alleviate any symptoms. However, due to the displacement of the tumor into the surrounding brain tissue, surgical removal can never remove all tumor cells. The therapy can therefore only delay the progression of tumor growth by a few months. The median life expectancy after diagnosis of glioblastoma is 10 to 15 months.

Read more about this under Grade 4 glioblastoma

What is the life expectancy for a grade 4 glioblastoma?

Glioblastoma, i.e. grade 4 glioma, is a very aggressive and rapidly growing tumor. After diagnosis, the life expectancy is usually only a few years. In glioblastoma, depending on the genetic makeup (the so-called MGMT methylation level) the tumor has a slightly different life expectancy. Depending on the genetic status, the average life expectancy is only 1-2 years.

You might also be interested in this topic: End-stage glioblastoma

Grade 3

As anaplastic astrocytomas WHO grade 3 gliomas are called. In contrast to diffuse astrocytomas, the tumor mass already consists predominantly of malignant cells that grow into the surrounding brain tissue in a displacing manner. The further transition to a glioblastoma (grade 4) is possible.

Anaplastic astrocytomas also manifest in adulthood (around 35 years of age). The symptoms and therapy correspond roughly to those of diffuse astrocytomas. The mean life expectancy after diagnosis of the tumor is around 9 years.

What is the life expectancy for a grade 3 glioblastoma?

Grade 3 glioma, i.e. anaplastic astrocytoma, is a more aggressive tumor. Life expectancy is not as good as with grade 1 and 2 glioma and is only 3 to 4 years on average. Here, too, the genetic factors of the tumor (the so-called IDH mutation) an important role. With a favorable genetic profile, life expectancy can be up to 6-8 years.

Grade 2

WHO grade 2 gliomas are known as diffuse astrocytomas. In contrast to pilocystic astrocytoma, these tumors can already contain malignant cells. Further growth and transition to a grade 3/4 glioma is therefore possible.

Diffuse astrocytomas usually manifest in adulthood (around 35 years of age). Numerous symptoms are possible depending on the location. As a rule, surgical removal does not completely remove the tumor, which is why the resection is combined with radiation and chemotherapy. The mean life expectancy after diagnosis of a diffuse astrocytoma is around 11 years.

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• radiotherapy
• chemotherapy

What is the life expectancy with a grade 2 glioblastoma?

With a grade 2 glioma, i.e. diffuse astrocytomas, there is a life expectancy of several years. On average, it is 7-8 years, but is heavily dependent on various genetic characteristics of the tumor (the so-called IDH mutation) and in the best case can be 10 years.

Grade 1

The benign glioma (WHO grade 1) is also called pilocystic astrocytoma designated. It is the most common primary tumor in childhood. The mean age of onset is 10 years. Pilocystic astrocytomas do not metastasize. Symptoms caused by the tumor (e.g. vomiting, coordination disorders) occur due to the compression of the surrounding brain areas. In this case, surgical removal of the tumor is necessary. With this resection, the patient can be cured of the tumor.

What is the life expectancy for a grade 1 glioblastoma?

Grade 1 glioma, i.e. pilocytic astrocytoma, has a significantly better life expectancy than glioblastoma (grade 4 glioma). With the basically benign pilocytic astrocytoma, over 90% of the sick survive after 5 years. If the tumor is completely removed, there is a possibility of healing, as this tumor usually does not become malignant.