glioblastoma
Pronunciation: glee-oh-blast-OH-mah
Also written as: GBM — glioblastoma multiforme
An aggressive malignant brain tumor arising from glial cells in the cerebral hemispheres.
Full Definition
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor in adults, classified as a Grade IV astrocytoma by the World Health Organization. It arises from glial cells and is characterized by rapid growth, extensive invasion into surrounding brain tissue, and resistance to treatment. Glioblastomas typically occur in the cerebral hemispheres and carry a poor prognosis, with median survival of 12-18 months despite multimodal treatment including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The tumor's infiltrative nature makes complete surgical resection impossible.
Usage
Usage note: Often abbreviated as GBM. The term 'multiforme' is less commonly used in current classification.
In Context
- "Histopathological examination confirmed glioblastoma with typical features including necrosis and vascular proliferation." — Pathology report
- "The patient underwent maximal safe resection of the left frontal glioblastoma followed by adjuvant chemoradiation." — Treatment summary