Guide to glioblastoma patient management
Build your defense: glioblastoma patient survival is multifactorial
For glioblastoma patients, survival is determined by multiple factors, ranging from socio-economic, individual, tumor-related and medical factors:
- Higher socio-economic status allows better access to therapy
- Family and friends support plays a tremendous role in the survival and well-being of glioblastoma patients
- Co-morbidities and older age are inversely correlated with survival by confounding the immunity and ability to fight the tumor
- Tumor-related factors consist of the location of the tumor, its size at initial diagnosis, and the molecular make-up of the tumor
- The "Neuro" team that diagnoses and treats the patient is paramount for patient survival
Diagnosis and treatment: the Neuro team
The Neuro team consists of:
- Radiologist - identifies a brain tumor on CT or MRI. A ring or rim enhancing tumor, as the one in the diagram does not always equate with glioblastoma, and therefore it requires confirmation by pathology
- Surgeon - resects the tumor. Larger the resection is, better the survival is, and this is due to the infiltrative nature of glioblastoma that penetrates deep into the normal brain, beyond the enhancement rim. Sometimes, there are contraindications for resection, such as tumor location or poor patient condition; in these cases, the neurosurgeon takes a biopsy for pathologic diagnosis
- Pathologist - diagnoses the tumor. Until the discovery of the molecular classification by Dr. Georgescu, the pathology report contained only the histologic description. Dr. Georgescu's integrated pathology report now includes molecular subgrouping,
- Two oncologists complete the Neuro team - they administer radiation therapy and offer chemotherapy regimens based on the histologic and molecular diagnosis
Glioblastoma molecular classification: get consult to NeuroMarkers
The signature concept of NeuroMarkers is the identification of diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic markers for brain tumors. The all-patient-inclusive G1-G7 molecular classification of glioblastoma is a platform for discovery of such markers. Most importantly, it provides an actual framework for clinical management, introducing for the first time patient survival expectations based on the molecular make-up of the tumor.
Providing this progressive classification to all glioblastoma patients is the goal of NeuroMarkers and the future of glioblastoma patient management!
Identifying patients that may fare better: every patient matters!
In each of the G1-G7 molecular subgroups there are patients that fare better than others, sometimes much better. The comparative analysis of tumors from patients at opposite ends of the survival spectrum may provide:
- individual survival prognostic markers
- clues to tumor sensitivities and resistance to treatment
- models for optimal management of glioblastoma