Disease Information
Glioblastoma, or GBM, is a fast-growing, invasive brain tumor that develops from glial cells in the brain.
Glioblastoma (also known as grade 4 astrocytoma) is an aggressive form of brain cancer that typically develops spontaneously. While it can evolve from lower-grade gliomas, this progression is less common.
Impact and Prevalence
- Represents approximately 50% of all primary brain tumors
- Over 18,000 adults in the United States die annually from primary brain cancers
- Globally, more than 251,000 people died from brain tumors in 2020
- Increasingly affecting adults under 40, impacting families during crucial life stages
Treatment and Prognosis
Despite advanced medical treatments combining surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, glioblastoma remains one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer.
Most patients face survival rates of around 15 months after diagnosis, so support for families is crucial.