Glioblastoma Treatment Cost in India

Glioblastoma is a tumor that can develop in the brain or spinal cord and is very aggressive. Glioblastoma arises from astrocytes, which are cells that support nerve cells. Glioblastoma can strike anyone at any age, but it strikes older people more frequently. It can make headaches, nausea, vomiting, and seizures worse. Glioblastoma, commonly known as glioblastoma multiforme, is cancer that is difficult to treat and seldom cures. Glioblastoma Treatment in India may help to decrease the growth of cancer and alleviate symptoms.

Glioblastomas (GBMs) make up over half of all adult malignant brain tumors. This type of brain cancer spreads quickly and has the potential to spread across the brain. New treatments, such as tumor treatment fields and tailored medicines, are helping to alleviate symptoms and halt the progression of cancer.

What is Glioblastoma Multiforme?

The most frequent type of malignant (cancerous) brain tumor in adults is glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). GBM tumors produce a lot of cancer cells that grow quickly. The malignancy has the potential to spread to other parts of the brain. Cancer can occasionally move outside of the brain to other parts of the body.

Glioblastoma cancers, such as GBM, begin in the glial cells. The function of nerve cells is dependent on glial cells. GBMs are formed in glial cells known as astrocytes. GBMs are the astrocytomas that grow the fastest (tumor that forms in astrocytes).

GBM most typically affects persons between the ages of 45 and 70. At the time of diagnosis, the average patient is 64 years old. Although men are at a slightly higher risk than women, the disease affects people of all ages and genders.

These factors may put individuals at a higher risk:

• Exposure to Pesticides, petroleum, synthetic rubber, and vinyl chloride are just a few of the substances that can be found in the environment.
• Neurofibromatosis, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, and Turcot syndrome are all tumor-causing genetic disorders.
• Radiation therapy to the skull had previously been used.

Your treatment and prognosis are influenced by the type of glioma you have. Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and experimental clinical trials are among the alternatives for glioma treatment.

Glioblastoma cancer comes in a variety of forms, including:

Astrocytomas:  such as astrocytoma, anaplastic astrocytoma, and glioblastoma are all types of astrocytomas.

Ependymomas: Anaplastic ependymoma, myxopapillary ependymoma, and subependymoma.

Oligodendrogliomas: It includes oligodendroglioma, anaplastic oligodendroglioma, and anaplastic oligoastrocytoma.

What are the sign and symptoms of Glioblastoma Multiforme? 

Symptoms of Glioblastoma Multiforme usually appear suddenly. As the tumor grows, it exerts pressure on the brain, resulting in:

1. Blurred or double vision
2. Headaches
3. Appetite loss 
4. Memory Issues
5. Mood swings or personality changes
6. Muscle aches and pains, as well as issues with balance
7. Nausea and vomiting are common side effects
8. Seizures
9. Speech difficulties
10. Sensational changes, numbness, or tingling

What are the causes of Glioblastoma Multiforme?

The specific causes of glioblastoma, like other primary brain tumors, is unknown. However, there are some variables that can raise your chances of developing a brain tumor. The following are some of the risk factors:

1. Your Age
2. Exposure to radiation
3. Family history

They can happen in persons with particular hereditary syndromes, such as neurofibromatosis type 1, Turcot syndrome, and Li Fraumeni syndrome, in rare situations. Affected persons frequently have other symptoms of the disorder as well, which are all caused by alterations (mutations) in a single gene.

How the diagnosis of Glioblastoma Multiforme is done?

If your primary care physician suspects you have a brain tumor, you may be sent to a neurologist who specializes in brain and nervous system issues (neurologist). These tests may be recommended if your doctor suspects you have a brain tumor:

• To check for brain tumors, an MRI or CT scan is used.
• A biopsy is a procedure that involves taking a sample of tissue from a tumor and examining it for cancer cells.

To show the progression of a brain tumor, healthcare experts utilize a grading system ranging from 1 to 4. Grade 1 brain tumors are the least aggressive and grow slowly. Grade 4 tumors are more aggressive and develop quickly.

GBMs are classified as grade 4 per definition. GBM can be primary or secondary in nature. Glial cells are the source of primary GBM. Grade 1 glial tumors, on the other hand, can occasionally grow to become GBMs, a condition known as secondary GBM.