Glioblastoma treatment is often difficult, as there are a number of factors which can complicate any of the different treatment types. Treatment usually begins with surgery, as this can reduce the size of the tumor dramatically in many cases. Once the tumor has been operated on, radiotherapy and chemotherapy can be implemented to reduce the size further. In some cases, the symptoms of glioblastoma may need to be treated separately in order to improve the patient’s quality of life.
Surgery is usually the first type glioblastoma treatment. The surgeon will try to cut out as much of the tumor as possible without damaging the healthy brain tissue. In some cases the entire tumor can be eliminated, while in others only a small amount is accessible. Even if surgery cannot remove the entire tumor, it can reduce pressure on the brain and increase the chance of success of other treatments.
Radiotherapy usually comes into play after surgery and is a glioblastoma treatment that can often increase the patient’s chance of survival. This type of therapy uses small amounts of radiation which are directed into the brain. Sometimes the treatment is applied to try and cure the condition, while in other cases it is used to control the symptoms. When a patient is undergoing radiotherapy, he or she will often need to receive treatment on a daily basis.
Chemotherapy is another for glioblastoma treatment, especially if the patient is suffering from the most aggressive type of tumor. This form of treatment has now become standard practice for most patients, although there are exceptions depending on the individual’s circumstances. Recent studies have suggested that chemotherapy may be effective at extending a person’s life.
Symptomatic care — which focuses on the symptoms rather than the cause — is generally used as part of glioblastoma treatment. For example, some patients may be given a form of steroid to help with headaches. If a person suffers from seizures, anticonvulsant treatment may also be used.
Glioblastoma treatment is often very difficult for a number of reasons. First, the brain is an extremely sensitive area and can be easily damaged by standard cancer treatments. This is made more complicated by the brain’s lack of ability to repair itself fully in most cases. Second, it’s also more difficult to administer drugs to the brain than other areas of the body. For these reasons, many of the treatments are aimed at extending the person’s life rather than curing the condition altogether.
