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Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma

Disease Information

Genentech BioOncology is dedicated to advancing the science of glioblastoma therapy through comprehensive research programs and education. Glioblastomas usually form in astrocytes in the cerebral white matter.1

Glioblastoma Demographic Statistics

  • In 2004–2007, an estimated 37,890 Americans were diagnosed with glioblastoma—16.7% of all reported brain tumors2

Glioblastoma Epidemiology

  • Most brain tumors are not associated with known risk factors.1 However, risk factors include ionizing radiation exposure to the head and a family history of inherited conditions such as neurofibromatosis type 1 and Li-Fraumeni syndrome1,3
  • The 5-year survival rate for patients with glioblastoma is 2.9%4
  • The median survival time for glioblastoma is limited to approximately 10 to 15 months5

Glioblastoma Symptoms

Symptoms of glioblastoma include headache; nausea; vomiting; blurred vision; balance problems; drowsiness; seizure; hemiparesis; and progressive memory, personality, or neurologic deficits.1,3

Other links to glioblastoma disease information

These links give a sampling of other sites offering information on glioblastoma, which you may find useful in your practice.

Unless otherwise indicated, Genentech, Inc. is neither affiliated with nor endorses any of the organizations listed.

References:
1.
American Cancer Society. Brain and spinal cord tumors in adults. www.cancer.org/Cancer/BrainCNSTumorsinAdults/DetailedGuide/brain-and-spinal-cord-tumors-in-adults-what-is-cancer. Accessed April 14, 2011.
2.
CBTRUS (2011). CBTRUS Statistical Report: Primary Brain and Central Nervous System Tumors Diagnosed in the United States in 2004-2007. Source: Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States, Hinsdale, IL. Web site: www.cbtrus.org. Accessed April 13, 2011.
3.
US Department of Health and Human Services. National Cancer Institute. What you need to know about™ brain tumors. Accessed April 14, 2011.
4.
Barnholtz-Sloan JS, Sloan AE, Schwartz AG. Cancer of the brain and other central nervous system. In: SEER Survival Monograph. National Cancer Institute. www.seer.cancer.gov/publications/survival/surv_brain.pdf. Accessed April 14, 2011.
5.
Nieder C, Grosu AL, Astner S, Molls M. Treatment of unresectable glioblastoma multiforme. Anticancer Res. 2005;25:4605-4610. PMID: 16334150