Glyoblastoma of the brain: how do they die? Glyoblastoma: degrees, prognosis

Many forms of cancer today are incurable, for example, glioblastoma of the brain. How to die with such a terrible diagnosis is better not to know anyone, but that's why many are interested in how this disease can be combated and what needs to be done first.

What is glioblastoma?

The most malignant and aggressive tumor that can develop inside the skull is glioblastoma of the brain. The photo below shows that the disease and the applied methods of treatment change the appearance of a person almost beyond recognition.

According to statistics, the disease most often affects men 35-55 years old, but women, of course, also not insured, a notorious example is the illness of the famous Russian singer Zhanna Friske.

There is a glioblastoma as a result of the unregulated multiplication of stellate glial cells-astrocytes. Between infected and healthy cells there is no clear boundary, which makes this type of tumor the most dangerous and difficult to work.

The tumor rapidly sprouts into the brain tissue, while glioblastoma of the brain develops almost unnoticeably and asymptomatically. How healthy cells die, quickly becoming involved in the process of genetic change and becoming atypical, the doctor can consider on the images of the MRI device.

Causes of glioblastoma

The cause of malignant degeneration of brain cells can not always be established, but several factors that contribute to this process are highlighted:

1. Genetic predisposition. If someone from close relatives had cancer, the risk of developing the disease increases.
2. The impact of an aggressive environment - radiation, chemicals, ionizing and electromagnetic radiation.
3. Genetic changes are acquired and congenital.
4. Men and children are at risk.

Symptoms of glioblastoma development

The development of the disease is almost asymptomatic, often the tumor is completely randomly determined when passing the survey on a completely different profile.

To date, science does not know the causes and mechanisms of the formation of such a disease as glioblastoma of the brain. How do patients die and why does this question have no answer so far. However, there are several signs, in the manifestation of which you should consult a doctor:

• Drowsiness and dizziness ;
• Persistent headaches ;
• Violation of fine motor skills;
• Impaired vision, hallucinations;
• Numbness in the limbs;
• Gradual speech impairment;
• Difficulty in concentrating;
• Sharp and frequent mood swings;
• Loss of appetite, and, as a result, a strong weight loss.

Classification of glioblastoma

The World Health Organization has identified three types of this disease. Differences consist in the degree of malignancy, the size of the tumor and a number of other criteria.

1. Giant cell glioblastoma-within the neoplasm a large number of cells containing several nuclei are found.
2. Gliosarcoma is characterized by the mixing of glial cells and connective tissue cells with the presence of sarcomatous components.
3. Multiform glioma is the most common and most aggressive form of cancer. Characterized by spontaneous and rapid development, it can reach gigantic proportions before the first symptoms manifest themselves.

Degrees of development of the disease

Like any cancer, it is divided according to the degree of malignancy and glioblastoma. The degrees allocated by WHO are as follows:

1. The first degree is the easiest form of the disease, with no signs of malignancy. The tumor develops slowly, healthy cells are not affected quickly. Prenoses of doctors are the best, the chances of recovery are great.
2. The second degree-cells have atypical signs, but the tumor develops slowly, the formation is least malignant. If the tumor is not detected in time, the disease passes into a more severe stage, this is the main danger. However, no matter how dangerous was glioblastoma of the brain, the forecast of doctors in the second stage is the most optimistic.
3. The third degree passes without necrotic processes, but is malignant and grows rapidly, invading healthy brain tissue. The operation performed does not guarantee the desired success.
4. Fourth degree-characterized by a high rate of growth and is the most complex form of cancer. The boundaries of the tumor are difficult to identify, so surgical removal is almost impossible. Often, doctors refuse surgery, for fear of causing even greater harm to the patient.

Diagnostics

MRI and CT are the most informative methods to diagnose a disease such as glioblastoma of the brain. Photos obtained after the procedure allow you to determine the size of the tumor and the location of its location.

Sometimes a special contrast substance is introduced to the patient, allowing to see the entire vascular system and the degree of its damage in the pictures.

To obtain the most complete picture of the disease, a biopsy-histological study of a fragment of the brain is done. Biopsy is a rather complicated neurosurgical operation, performed under general anesthesia. If the tumor is located deep in the brain tissue, a biopsy is not possible.

Time of diagnosis of glyblastoma, the life of the patient significantly prolongs.

Treatment

After collecting all the tests and accurate diagnosis, the doctor appoints treatment to each patient individually. Be sure to take into account factors such as the patient's age, general health, as well as the stage of development of the process, the location and size of the tumor.

Conditionally treatment can be divided into the following stages:

1. Surgical intervention is the most effective and radical method of treatment. Infected cells are completely removed, sometimes healthy areas are captured to prevent the development of the tumor. With the purpose of better vulcanization of the tumor boundary, the patient is given a contrast agent before the operation, which, under certain illumination, gives the neoplasm clearer contours.
2. Chemotherapy is a drug treatment and is performed after surgery. It serves to prevent relapse.
3. Radiation therapy-is used in conjunction with chemotherapy. Ionizing radiation locally affects cancer cells and destroys them.
4. Photodynamic therapy, a new and effective method for treating glioblastoma, is based on laser irradiation.
5. Radiosurgery-a beam of radiation concentrates directly in the lesion, with a minimum damage to healthy tissue.

In a complex, all these types of treatment help to achieve complete elimination of such a complex disease as glioblastoma, the lifetimes of terminally ill patients are also significantly extended. Treatment takes an extended period of time and requires strict adherence to all medical recommendations, including strict diet.

Forecast

Unfortunately, with such a serious illness as glioblastoma of the brain, the prognosis of life can sometimes be disappointing. Life expectancy after removal of the tumor is two to three years. With multiform glioblastoma, death occurs in 30-40 weeks.

A number of complicated neurological defects cause a severe degree of damage, which is provided by glioblastoma of the brain. How do patients die? Basically, this is a serious death, accompanied by painful headaches and a violation of mental activity, and the ability to self-service is also lost. In this case, medicine can only provide palliative care.

About 80% of cases after the treatment are relapsed.

Nevertheless, for a significant extension of the projected timeframe, the patient's own desire is first of all required. Timely diagnosed, coupled with the strength of man's will, perseverance and the desire to fight increase the chances of the effectiveness of ongoing treatment, give hope for a normal and full life.