Management of Glioblastoma, Present and Future

Nancy Ann Oberheim Bush1, Shawn L Hervey-Jumper1, Mitchel S Berger2

  • 1Division of Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.

World Neurosurgery
|October 30, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Glioblastomas, aggressive brain tumors, have poor outcomes. This review covers new surgical, imaging, and diagnostic strategies, plus immunotherapy and personalized medicine trials, emphasizing patient quality of life.

Area of Science:

  • Neuro-oncology
  • Cancer research
  • Clinical medicine

Background:

  • Glioblastomas represent the most frequent and lethal primary brain malignancy.
  • Despite significant research, glioblastoma treatment outcomes remain poor, highlighting an urgent need for therapeutic advancements.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current glioblastoma treatment strategies.
  • To highlight recent progress in surgical techniques, imaging, and molecular diagnostics.
  • To discuss emerging immunotherapies, personalized medicine, and quality of life considerations.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current glioblastoma research and clinical trials.
  • Analysis of advancements in surgical oncology, neuroimaging, and molecular pathology.
  • Synthesis of data on immunotherapy, targeted therapies, and supportive care.

Main Results:

  • Current treatment paradigms for glioblastoma are multifaceted, integrating surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
  • Novel surgical approaches and advanced imaging techniques are improving tumor resection and characterization.
  • Molecular diagnostics are paving the way for personalized medicine, with immunotherapy showing promise.

Conclusions:

  • Despite challenges, glioblastoma treatment is evolving with innovative approaches.
  • Personalized medicine and immunotherapy offer new hope for improving patient survival and quality of life.
  • A holistic approach, including supportive care, is crucial for glioblastoma patients and their caregivers.

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