Glioblastoma multiforme - a rare type of cancer: A narrative review

Abstract

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an infrequent type of brain cancer. The prevalence of GBM is very low, that is, 10 per 100,000 cases. It is, however, the most belligerent and malignant type of brain cancer, which is often fatal. Patients having GBM show notably poor prognosis. GBM can occur at any age, but oftentimes, it is seen in older adults. Despite advancements in the field of medicine and research for the specific medicament for GBM, no refinement has been seen in the survival rates in the past three decades. We performed an advanced search in Google Scholar database between January 2003 and December 2023 using the keywords such as “brain cancer,” “glioma,” “brain tumor,” and “glioblastoma multiforme”. This search resulted in 673 articles related to the recent and advanced information of GBM. However, 101 contemporary and relevant articles were shortlisted for final review based on the most recent information about GBM such as its categorization, clinical manifestation, etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and recurrence. From these articles, relevant information was used and presented in this comprehensive narrative review to briefly outline the clinical manifestation, pathogenesis, genetic study, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of GBM with the latest advancements.

Keywords

• brain cancer
• epidermal growth factor receptor
• glioblastoma multiforme
• glioma
• magnetic resonance imaging