Glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive and deadly types of brain cancer, known for its fast growth and resistance to treatment. It is the most common form of primary brain cancer (cancer that originates in the brain). A recent innovative study has shown promising results for a new treatment approach that could improve overall survival while maintaining the quality of life, especially for elderly patients who have been recently diagnosed with glioblastoma.
What is Glioblastoma?
Glioblastoma is a type of glioma that originates in glial cells in the brain. Gliomas account for about 33% of all brain tumors. These tumors are referred to as "intrinsic brain tumors" because they grow within the brain tissue and often blend with the surrounding healthy brain tissue. Glioblastoma is classified as a grade IV malignant tumor according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification, indicating its fast-growing and highly aggressive nature.
Proton Beam Therapy: An Innovative Treatment Approach
In a groundbreaking development in glioblastoma treatment, a team of researchers led by Dr. Sujay Foro, a radiation oncology specialist at Mayo Clinic, conducted a study on using a micro-fractionated proton beam therapy. This advanced treatment combines state-of-the-art imaging techniques to more accurately target the tumor with radiation, reducing the damage to surrounding healthy brain tissue.
Study Results
The study, published in The Lancet Oncology, revealed that 56% of patients over the age of 65, who were newly diagnosed with glioblastoma, survived for at least 12 months after receiving the proton beam therapy. The median overall survival was 13.1 months, which is a significant improvement compared to previous studies where the median survival was only 6-9 months.
In some cases, patients with favorable genetic characteristics for their tumors lived even longer, with a median overall survival of 22 months.
Glioblastoma Tumor Resection Challenges
Surgical resection of glioblastoma is particularly complex due to the way the tumor infiltrates the surrounding brain tissue. The tumor extends into the brain like "tentacles," making it difficult to remove all of the tumor without damaging critical areas that control basic functions such as speech and movement. This complexity adds to the difficulty of treatment and presents challenges for surgeons when balancing tumor removal with preserving brain function.
Conventional Radiation Therapy vs. Proton Beam Therapy
Conventional radiation therapy is commonly used to treat glioblastoma, but one of its drawbacks is that it exposes surrounding healthy brain tissue to radiation, which can lead to unintended side effects. In contrast, proton beam therapy is a more advanced, non-invasive form of radiation therapy that delivers precise doses of radiation to cancer cells while minimizing the impact on nearby healthy tissue.
In the Mayo Clinic study, researchers used advanced imaging techniques to map out the targeted area of the brain. These techniques included 18F-DOPA PET scans and MRI with contrast agents. This allowed the team to identify the most metabolically active and aggressive parts of the glioblastoma.
Treatment Duration
The treatment duration for proton beam therapy was significantly shorter than conventional radiation therapy. The entire treatment cycle lasted between one to two weeks, as opposed to the three to six weeks typically required with standard radiation therapy.
Symptoms of Glioblastoma
Glioblastomas can occur at any age, but they are more common in adults. While some glioblastomas may not produce symptoms initially, when they exert pressure on the brain or spinal cord, they can cause symptoms such as:
Persistent headaches
Seizures
Changes in personality or cognitive function
Weakness or numbness in the arms, face, or legs
Speech difficulties
Nausea and vomiting
Conclusion
Glioblastoma remains one of the most challenging and deadly cancers to treat, but new approaches like proton beam therapy offer hope for improved survival rates and better quality of life for patients, especially older adults. The latest study from Mayo Clinic shows significant progress in treatment strategies, with patients living longer and experiencing fewer side effects compared to conventional methods. However, further research is still needed to refine these treatments and offer even better outcomes for patients battling this aggressive form of brain cancer.
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