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Neuro-Oncology

Glioblastoma (GBM)

University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center’s physicians and oncologists are national leaders in the diagnosis and treatment of glioblastomas and other mixed gliomas, tailoring brain cancer treatment to each patient’s age, health conditions and individual needs. As one of the best cancer hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report for over 20 years, UH Seidman Cancer Center is part of the National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine – one of an elite group of 51 such comprehensive cancer hospitals in the U.S.


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What Is Glioblastoma?

Glioblastoma, also known as glioblastoma multiforme, is an aggressive and difficult-to-treat cancer that occurs in the brain or spinal cord. It forms from star-shaped cells called astrocytes that support nerve cells. Though glioblastoma can develop at any age, it occurs more often in older adults.

What Are the Symptoms of Glioblastoma?

Tiffany Hodges, MD visits a brain cancer patient Learn more about brain surgery treatment with Tiffany Hodges, MD.

Pressure on the brain usually causes the first glioblastoma symptoms. Depending on where the tumor develops, signs and symptoms may include:

  • Constant headaches
  • Seizures
  • Vomiting
  • Trouble thinking
  • Trouble speaking
  • Changes in mood or personality
  • Double or blurred vision

Innovations in Glioblastoma Treatment

Utilizing some of the most advanced brain cancer treatments available and conducting groundbreaking clinical trials , UH Seidman Cancer Center’s physicians have established many innovations in treating glioblastoma and other brain cancers. This distinction means we have access to advanced treatments and therapies sooner than most other hospitals. With leading-edge clinical trials, UH Seidman Cancer Center’s physicians have established many innovations in special treatment of glioblastoma.

Treatments for glioblastomas include the following:

Glioblastoma Causes and Risk Factors

As is the case with most brain tumors, experts go not fully understand what causes glioblastoma . However, we know that glioblastoma cells contain more genetic abnormalities than the cells of other types of astrocytomas. Consequently, researchers believe several different genetic mutations are involved in the development of glioblastomas. These mutations may be caused by:

  • Inherited DNA defects, especially those associated with genetic conditions such as:
    • Turcot syndrome
    • Neurofibromatosis type 1
    • Li-Fraumeni syndrome
  • Cumulative effects of exposure to carcinogens
  • High-dose exposure to ionizing radiation
  • Other triggers yet to be identified

Glioblastoma tumors can appear in anyone, but are somewhat more common in men and older people. The average age for diagnosis for glioblastoma is 64 years.

Glioblastoma Survival Rates

Doctors can never be absolutely certain about the specific outcome for a patient following a diagnosis of glioblastoma or other types of brain tumor. They can provide an estimate but may be unable to predict other factors, such as how well a patient responds to treatment. As such, glioblastoma prognosis may be revised at different stages of the care journey.

The average survival time for glioblastoma patients at UH is 12 to 14.5 months following diagnosis. Approximately 25% of glioblastoma patients survive more than one year with standard treatment; only 5% of patients survive more than five years. Note that these figures do not predict how long any particular glioblastoma patient will live. For example, depending on their circumstances, a patient who is a 5-year glioblastoma survivor could potentially live as long as someone who has never had the disease.

Pioneering Clinical Research Leads to New Opportunities in Care

University Hospitals is an affiliate of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, a nationally recognized leader in clinical research. UH Seidman Cancer Center currently conducts a number of clinical trials for patients with glioblastoma and other mixed gliomas, giving patients access to new and innovative therapies and treatment options.

Learn more about our available clinical trials

Reasons to Choose UH Seidman Cancer Center for Glioblastoma Treatment

Following FDA approval, UH Seidman Cancer Center was the first hospital to use Protoporphyrin IX to make glioblastoma tumors glow hot pink when illuminated with a special blue light during surgery. This novel technique allows surgeons to visualize the edges of the tumor more clearly, enabling them to excise it more completely from the brain.

Other reasons to choose UH Seidman Cancer Center for glioblastoma treatment include:

Member of the Adult Brain Tumor Consortium, a consortium of 11 elite Centers of Excellence for brain tumors.

Provides glioblastoma patients with innovative clinical trials

The first stereotactic radiosurgery suite in Ohio to offer Gamma Knife® technology for malignant and benign brain tumors

The first hospital in Ohio to offer proton therapy – an innovative, technologically advanced cancer treatment

The second provider east of the Mississippi to offer Medtronic’s Stealth Autoguide precision robotic platform for brain surgery

The first cancer center to offer GammaTile®, a form of radiation that dissolves in the patient’s brain after placement at the end of brain surgery

One of the leading centers in the country for minimally invasive (Laser Interstitial Thermotherapy) combined with immunotherapy

Patient Stories

Frances’ Story: The Stars Align

Frances Noonan and her grandchild

After years of catering to the stars, Frances Noonan has an eye for the best. The Colorado woman also knows one’s luck can change in an instant, and traveling for a better experience can be well worth the trip.

Andy’s Story – Surviving Brain Cancer 5 Years Later

Andy Simon

Three college graduations. Three family weddings. The births of two grandchildren. Andy “Superman” Simon has cherished each of these milestones since he was diagnosed five years ago with a glioblastoma multiforme.

Compassionate, Highly Trained Team of Experts

We put the patient at the center of a compassionate, highly accomplished team of brain cancer experts. This multidisciplinary group evaluates and reviews every case so that diagnosis and treatment decisions are based on the team’s combined expertise. Together, we work through every step of cancer care, always with a cure in mind. Our care team comprises:

  • Genetic counselors
  • Medical geneticists
  • Medical oncologists
  • Nurse navigators
  • Nurse practitioners
  • Pathologists
  • Radiation oncologists
  • Radiologists
  • Social workers
  • Surgical oncologists

Furthermore, at UH Seidman Cancer Center, each patient’s case is presented at weekly tumor board meetings, where our team conducts a disease-specific tumor board review to ensure that all treatment options are considered.