Question

Management of glioblastoma multiforme.

Hint:

Treatment of glioblastoma multiforme involves a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, with targeted therapies being explored in clinical trials.

Answer 1

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive form of brain cancer that requires a multimodal approach for management, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
Step 1: Surgical Management:
Surgical resection is the primary treatment for glioblastoma, aiming to remove as much of the tumor as possible while preserving neurological function. However, complete resection is often not feasible due to the infiltrative nature of the tumor.
Step 2: Radiation Therapy:
Postoperative radiation therapy is typically recommended to treat any remaining tumor cells. The standard regimen involves fractionated radiation therapy, often delivered over six weeks.
Step 3: Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy with temozolomide (TMZ) is commonly used alongside radiation. TMZ is an oral alkylating agent that has been shown to improve survival in patients with glioblastoma.
Step 4: Targeted and Immunotherapy:
Recent advances in molecular biology have led to the exploration of targeted therapies and immunotherapy for glioblastoma. These treatments aim to address the genetic mutations that drive the tumor's growth, but they are still in the experimental stages.