Recent studies have shown that median survival for glioblastoma has improved over the past decade, increasing from 3.6 to 4.8 months in men and 3.7 to 4.2 months in women. The overall survival rate remained low, with the median being less than five years. However, if you are diagnosed with this disease, it is important to understand your treatment options and determine which treatment options are most suitable for your case.
Glioblastoma begins when cells grow uncontrollably due to genetic changes. This uncontrolled growth causes symptoms, which occur when the tumor presses on parts of the brain. If the tumor is small, patients may not experience symptoms. If it grows in a specific location, however, symptoms may be more severe. Symptoms of glioblastoma depend on where it has spread and its extent.
The overall survival of patients with glioblastoma depends on a variety of factors, including the extent of resection and age at diagnosis. Moreover, if the patient was older or had other tumors, the survival rate may be lower. The researchers identified other risk factors that affect survival. Some of these include a high incidence of secondary glioblastoma and a higher risk of relapse.
One recent meta-analysis revealed that patients diagnosed between 2000 and 2007 had a 24% lower relative excessive risk of dying than patients who were diagnosed before that time. Patients younger than 70 years and those who were diagnosed between 2005 and 2007 had higher survival rates than those who were diagnosed before then. The median survival time increased by 2.4 months for patients younger than 70 years old. While survival rates may have improved overall, the incidence of glioblastoma continued to increase.
Currently, glioblastoma is the most common malignant primary brain tumor in adults, with a median survival of two years. Although the incidence of this disease increases with age, it still increases in males. Treatment for newly diagnosed patients includes surgery, concurrent radiation therapy and chemotherapy or adjuvant bevacizumab. Supportive care is essential throughout the course of the disease. It is important to understand your treatment options and what is best for you.
One way to interpret the results of the study is to look at the RER (progression-free survival rate) in each group. The RER shows the risk of death for glioblastoma. However, if you have a recurrent tumor, this may be of little help to you. Although RER is a useful tool to use when considering the best course of treatment for your case, it does not necessarily indicate how effective the treatment is.
The survival rate for glioblastomas has improved for the population as a whole since the year 2000. However, it is important to note that patients with higher-grade tumors tend to have a longer survival than those with lower-grade tumors. Therefore, it is important to seek early diagnosis and treatment to improve your chances of a better outcome. There is a high risk of recurrence of glioblastoma, especially in the elderly.
