Treating glioblastoma often involves using multiple methods, as this type of brain cancer contains diverse cell types, making it challenging to address with a single approach. Even with advances in treatment, glioblastomas frequently return, requiring continued imaging and additional therapies.
Treatment typically starts with surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible. However, surgery may not always be feasible, especially if the tumor is located deep in the brain or close to critical structures. In such cases, radiation therapy and chemotherapy might be the primary treatments.
The choice of treatment depends on factors like the tumor’s size, location, your overall health and personal preferences. Your care team will design a plan tailored to your specific situation.
Radiation Therapy: This uses high-energy beams like X-rays or protons to target cancer cells. It is often recommended after surgery to destroy any remaining tumor cells and may be combined with chemotherapy. For those unable to undergo surgery, radiation and chemotherapy may serve as the main treatments.
: This treatment involves powerful medicines, often taken as pills or delivered through a vein, to kill cancer cells. Sometimes, chemotherapy is given simultaneously with radiation. In certain cases, chemotherapy wafers may be implanted during surgery to slowly release medication directly into the brain.
Immunotherapy: This approach uses the body’s immune system to detect and fight tumors, unlike targeted chemotherapy, which blocks cancer cell growth. One promising method, monoclonal antibody therapy, involves using a patient’s tumor cells to create a personalized treatment that boosts the immune response. Our center offers a wide range of immunotherapy clinical trials, including vaccines, tumor-targeting treatments, and anti-angiogenic therapies for recurrent glioblastoma.
Learn more about .
Tumor Treating Fields (TTF): This therapy uses low-intensity electric fields to disrupt cancer cell division. Sticky pads are attached to the scalp and connected to a portable device that generates these fields. TTF is often paired with chemotherapy after radiation.
Targeted Therapy: This option focuses on specific genetic changes or chemicals in glioblastoma cells that drive tumor growth. By blocking these changes, targeted therapy can kill cancer cells while sparing healthy ones. It may be used after surgery or for recurrent tumors.
Clinical Trials: Participating in clinical trials provides access to experimental treatments, including innovative surgical techniques, therapies that enhance the immune system, direct drug delivery to the brain, and genetic research. These studies are important for advancing glioblastoma treatment.
Your healthcare provider can guide you in exploring available treatments and clinical trial options.
To manage symptoms caused by glioblastoma, medications may be prescribed to control seizures, reduce brain swelling with steroids, or relieve headaches. Palliative care is also available to improve comfort and quality of life. This specialized care can be provided alongside active treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.
The outlook for glioblastoma remains difficult, as it is an aggressive cancer with limited curative options. Most patients live an average of 12 to 18 months after diagnosis, and the five-year survival rate is about 5%. However, ongoing research offers hope. For example, Brigham and Women’s Hospital is at the forefront of , which aims to activate the immune system to fight glioblastoma by transforming the tumor environment into one that supports anti-tumor activity. Researchers are also exploring ways to deliver chemotherapy directly to tumors to improve outcomes.
Our experienced neurosurgeons work with other specialists to develop a personalized treatment plan and use the most up-to-date treatments and surgical techniques available.
Learn more about our surgical treatment options here.
For over a century, a leader in patient care, medical education and research, with expertise in virtually every specialty of medicine and surgery.
About BWH
