Glioblastoma Multiforme

Glioblastoma is the most malignant brain tumor that still remains incurable. It is such a deadly disease that patients do not survive more than a few months after diagnosis. Our understanding of the histopathology and molecular mechanisms of formation of glioblastoma is rapidly advancing so as to provide us clues for devising rational therapeutic strategies for treatment of this malignancy. It is important that we continue to improve our knowledge about the pathogenesis of this devastating disease and explore new areas to find successful therapeutic strategies. Various approaches such as sophisticated imaging techniques, improved surgical procedures, ground-breaking strategies for radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, chemoimmunotherapy, and photodynamic therapy are being used for eradicating glioblastoma. Hopefully, this book will be an important source of information on glioblastoma and therefore be highly useful to the students, postdoctoral fellows, principal investigators, and clinicians involved in this field.

A Statistic of One: My Walk with Glioblastoma Multiforme traces Stephen Hatraks life from his diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme, the deadliest of malignant brain tumors, to the present. He chronicles the trials and tribulations he faced and the losses he suffered along his journey. Faith and inner strength are formidable allies in overcoming any tragedy in ones life, and they played vital roles in his struggle. He was told from the start that the he might have twelve months to live; even so, he defi ed the odds and, six years later, is telling his own story. Despite the dire statistics associated with a diagnosis of glioblastoma, there are several stories of long-term survival; these stories gave him hope that this cancer could be tamed. To overcome this challenge in his life, he had to believe in himself and fi nd his inner sixth sense to strengthen his resolve. Along the way, he learned that life with brain cancer could be tough, but that he could be even tougher. What cancer cannot do.separate me from my soul, squash my spirit, and stop the sun from rising in the east and setting in the west; creating new tomorrows and new opportunities. A Statistic of One is an uplifting story of faith and perseverance; how we cope with challenge will determine how we move forward and live life to its fullest.

Treatment of malignant glioma remains a major challenge for neurosurgeons, neurologists, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists caring for patients with these tumors. Glioblastoma multiforme, the most common type of brain tumor, is also the most deadly -- only five percent of patients or fewer will be alive at five years after diagnosis. This comprehensive new reference is edited by a renowned team consisting of a neurosurgeon, medical oncologist, oncologic surgeon, and radiation oncologist. The book provides basic researchers and clinicians with a contemporary review of the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of glioblastoma multiforme, and also imparts to experienced investigators outside of the field sufficient background to apply their skills to the treatment of this deadly disease. Expert malignant glioma researchers and clinicians provide state-of-the-art chapters on important topics such as molecular genetic classification of glioblastoma, surgical management, stem cell therapy, chemotherapy, angiogenesis, and more.

Genetic alterations in cancer, in addition to being the fundamental drivers of tumorigenesis, can give rise to a variety of metabolic adaptations that allow cancer cells to survive and proliferate in diverse tumor microenvironments. This metabolic flexibility is different from normal cellular metabolic processes and leads to heterogeneity in cancer metabolism within the same cancer type or even within the same tumor. In this book, we delve into the complexity and diversity of cancer metabolism, and highlight how understanding the heterogeneity of cancer metabolism is fundamental to the development of effective metabolism-based therapeutic strategies. Deciphering how cancer cells utilize various nutrient resources will enable clinicians and researchers to pair specific chemotherapeutic agents with patients who are most likely to respond with positive outcomes, allowing for more cost-effective and personalized cancer therapeutic strategies.

This book provides basic researchers and clinicians with a contemporary review of personalised medicine for the diagnosis and treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), the most common and most aggressive type of brain tumor. Over the past decade, there has been an explosion of basic and clinical research revolving around GBM, resulting in improved outcomes and, most importantly, significant advances in our ability to better understand this disease to formulate personalised medical treatment for each patient. It is important to note that the word multiforme means "of many forms or appearances", implying that "one treatment will not fit all". Data from a variety of sources show that medical decisions and interventions must be tailored to the individual patient to obtain the greatest outcome. In this book, the diagnostic techniques and treatment options for patients with GBM are reviewed in state-of-the-art chapters written by expert researchers and clinicians in the field focusing on molecular genetic classification, surgical management, chemotherapy, radiation, nutrition, immune-therapy, and more. Many new therapeutic options are described and reviewed, confirming that not only does each patient needs to have personalised treatment, but also that a single treatment alone will not be sufficient; multiple mechanisms are involved and tumor biology changes over time. Hopefully, this book will educate and stimulate readers' knowledge and lead to new avenues of investigation and therapeutic success.

The life and death of Jack Fleming through his battle with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) brain cancer as told by his father, Ken. This is the story of a very brave young man. I was with him when he took his first breath and I was with him when he took his last. One was a moment of exquisite pleasure and the other was a moment of unimaginable pain. He gave life, and particularly the last two years struggling with terminal brain cancer, his best shot. He never stopped smiling; never gave up; never said no more. He was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) brain cancer on a cold, wet and wintry 8 July 2016. He was given 12 months to live. We got 22 months. In December 2017 we found out that none of the treatments were working and he was unlikely to live much longer. On 28 March 2018, we were told it was all over. He died at 1.45 pm on 15 April 2018. I promised him I would write a book. I kept my promise. -- Ken Fleming - JACK EVAN FLEMING 25 November 1996 - 15 April 2018 RIP Praise for Jack's Story "Jack's Story is gripping and confronting. Well done for having the courage to write it and get it out there in the public space. I'm sure many other families and health professionals will benefit from reading this book. It was a real tribute to Jack...and also demonstrated you're didn't leave a stone unturned in trying to find a solution to this aggressive cancer." Dr Nick Cooling "Thank you for sharing Jack's Story. I'm deeply sorry to hear about your son's journey with cancer. As you know glioblastoma cancer has touched my life and those that I love dearly. I can only imagine how difficult this process is for you and your family. It sounds like Jack was surrounded with support and indeed possessed courage at its best. I know that the grieving process never quite ends, but in due time, the thought of your son will bring a smile to your lips sooner than a tear to your eye. Our sons gave us so much more than they knew, so much for us to cherish. Our memories of them will always be with us. Please know that Jill and I will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. We're in this with you. God Bless you." Joseph R. Biden. Jr. "I would like to give my condolences to your family as no family should have to go through what your family endured. Taking the pain from your son's story and turning it into a moving and beautifully honest book takes a lot of courage. I appreciate the bravery it took to write this book about what it is really like inside a life with glioblastoma multiforme." Senator John McCain "I read Jack's story in one night ...couldn't put it down ... and despite knowing how it all ended, I was willing there to be a twist and turn on each page that would see a miracle happen. What a truly incredible story of hope, love, courage and ultimate tragedy." Katie Murray "I'm so sorry that despite all the expert advice and treatment he received that no more could be done to save him. It is stories like these, and patients like Jack, that drive us to continue our work and research and clinical trials to try to find new and better treatments to counter this awful disease. Let's hope we can make some more break throughs in memory of all the children and young adults like Jack." Dr David Ziegler

Cancer is a major worldwide public health problem and is the second leading cause of death in the United States. In 2018, there were seventeen million new cancer cases and 9.5 million cancer deaths worldwide. Seemingly, everyone has been affected by or knows of someone who is affected by the disease. In 2004, doctors discovered that Carmen Rice had a stage 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme brain tumor, one of the deadliest of all cancers—the same cancer which killed John McCain, Edward Kennedy, and Beau Biden. After being diagnosed with a glioblastoma tumor, twenty-nine-year-old Brittany Maynard made headline news when she moved to Oregon to die with dignity. Carmen’s doctor gave her six months to live, but with her faith in God and tenacious spirit, Carmen just kept beating the odds. After all these years, Carmen is “off the map” and into uncharted territory. They Call Me "The Miracle" is her story.

This book illustrates the characteristics of imaging after treatment in brain gliomas. It describes in detail the modifications to brain tissue, both healthy and pathological, that can manifest after surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy treatment. These modifications are discussed in terms of both how they occur in the immediate post-treatment period, and in the long term. The imaging methods used include CT with and without the addition of contrast medium, but above all MRI, which involves the use of routine basic sequences and mainly advanced study techniques such as diffusion, perfusion, spectroscopy and cortical activation. The aim of the text is to equip neuroradiologists with adequate expertise in post-treatment examinations reporting, allowing them to perform an effective differential diagnosis between the persistency or recurrence of illness and the effects of short or long-term treatment. The book is divided into a general section, which addresses the classification of cerebral tumors, the surgical treatment options, radiotherapy and chemotherapy protocols; and a section on clinical cases that employs rich iconography, making it quick and easy to consult. This second edition has been updated to reflect the new WHO classification system from 2016; new surgical, radiotherapy and chemotherapeutic treatment options; and (in the iconography section) the new sequences available from the manufacturers of RM scanners.