Glioblastoma multiforme is a fast-growing brain or spinal cord tumor. It affects the brain more often than the spinal cord. These tumors grow from glial cells which form the (supportive) tissue of the brain and spinal cord.
As it grows, a brain tumor can press against or damage nerves or other structures. This can interfere with the brain's normal functioning. For example, a brain tumor can disrupt:
- Thought
- Memory
- Emotion
- Movement
- Vision
- Hearing
- Touch
Scientists do not know what causes most brain tumors. However, they are working to better understand the biology of glioblastoma multiforme and identify possible environmental, occupational, family, and genetic risk factors.
Glioblastoma Symptoms
As brain tumors grow, they press against or damage nerves or other part of the brain and interfere with thought, memory, emotion, movement, vision, hearing, touch, and other brain functions. Swelling and fluid buildup can also affect brain function.
The most common glioblastoma symptoms are:
- Frequent headaches (usually worse in the morning)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Memory loss
- Seizures
- Changes in personality, mood, and ability to concentrate
- Changes in speech, vision, or hearing
Many other conditions can cause these symptoms, but call your doctor promptly if you experience any of these problems.
Glioblastoma Death Cases
Estimated new cases and deaths from brain and other nervous system tumors in the United States in 2014:
New cases : 23,380.
Deaths : 14,320.
Brain tumors account for 85% to 90% of all primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Available registry data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database for 2007 indicate that the combined incidence of primary invasive CNS tumors in the United States is 6.36 per 100,000 persons per year with an estimated mortality of 4.22 per 100,000 persons per year. Worldwide, approximately 238,000 new cases of brain and other CNS tumors were diagnosed in the year 2008, with an estimated 175,000 deaths.[4] In general, the incidence of primary brain tumors is higher in whites than in blacks, and mortality is higher in males than in females.
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