Опухоль мозга! Чего ожидать? Что дальше?

What is glioblastoma? Astrocytomas are divided into four groups depending on their malignancy. Glioblastoma is the most malignant form of astrocytomas (Grade IV malignancy). Glioblastoma is a very aggressive, infiltrative, unbounded and invasive tumor of the brain or spinal cord with rapid development. As mentioned earlier, glioblastoma develops from astrocytes - cells that support nerve cells (neurons). This type of malignant tumor can develop at any age. The average age of patients with glioblastoma is 64 years. What types of glioblastomas exist? The most malignant and aggressive form of astrocytomas - glioblastoma can form immediately, this is the so-called primary glioblastoma, and glioblastoma can also form during malignant transformation (malignancy) of less malignant forms of astrocytomas, this is the so-called secondary glioblastoma. Tumors that initially develop as glioblastomas are much more aggressive and are most often diagnosed in older people. The second type of glioblastoma develops much more slowly from tumors with low malignancy or "benign" gliomas, sometimes this process lasts for 8-10 years. It should be added that not all astrocytomas eventually turn into glioblastoma, but such a risk exists. In which parts of the brain can glioblastoma develop? Glioblastoma can develop in any part of the brain and spinal cord, but is most often diagnosed in the cerebral hemispheres. What are the symptoms of glioblastoma? The signs of glioblastoma are not specific and are characteristic of many diseases of the brain. Symptoms in patients can develop very quickly due to the rapid growth of the tumor mass and the resulting cerebral edema. General symptoms are associated with significantly increased pressure inside the skull (severe headache, nausea, vomiting). Patients may also develop various neurological symptoms depending on the location of the tumor in a particular area of ​​the brain, such as weakness of the limbs (paresis, paralysis), numbness, facial asymmetry, balance disorders, personality changes, memory and thinking disorders. A fairly common manifestation of brain tumors is also an epileptic seizure, especially if the patient has not suffered from epilepsy before.