Polk Radiation Oncologist Offers New Treatment for Brain Cancer

A CANCER DIAGNOSIS is never good news, but a diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is probably the worst news a patient can receive.

- Teresa Schiffer

This type of primary brain cancer affects nearly 11,000 people each year in the U.S. It is a Grade IV tumor that tends to arise de novo. GBM is aggressive, complex, and treatment resistant. It is also both the most common and deadliest type of brain cancer. While this cancer can occur anywhere in the brain, it is most often found in the cerebral hemispheres. The prognosis for GBM is generally poor overall. Although there is some variation depending on the exact type of tumor the glioblastoma is and the age of the patient, the median survival of most patients is just 11 to 13 months after diagnosis.

The symptoms of a glioblastoma include persistent headaches, vomiting, blurred vision, changes in mood and personality, changes in cognitive abilities, and new onset of seizures. While there is no cure for GBM, treatment is available to slow progression of the disease and improve quality of life. Because the glioblastoma grows into the surrounding healthy brain tissue, it isn’t possible to completely remove the tumor surgically. A neurosurgeon will work to remove as much of the tumor as possible, and most patients will receive additional treatments after surgery to target the remaining cells. These treatments can include radiation, chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, and now tumor treating fields (TTF) therapy.