Glioblastoma is an aggressive and malignant brain tumor arising from glial cells. It is the most common form of primary brain cancer in adults. Glioblastomas are known for their rapid growth and ability to penetrate surrounding brain tissue. Treatment often includes surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, but the prognosis remains poor. The assessment of the Polygenic Risk Score for glioblastoma is based on the examination of 10 gene polymorphisms.
Genetic testing for glioblastoma is included along with 15 other diseases in the Genetic Screening for Nervous System Diseases, Polygenic Risk Score, and in the Genetic Screening for Neoplasms and Precancerous Malformations, Polygenic Risk Score, along with 19 other diseases.
Causes and non-genetic risk factors
The exact causes of glioblastoma are unknown. It may develop from a diffuse astrocytoma or an anaplastic astrocytoma (secondary glioblastomas), but in most cases, it occurs de novo without evidence of previous neoplasia.
At the moment, ionizing radiation is the only unequivocal risk factor identified for glial and meningeal tumors. Studies conducted indicate that skull radiation, even at low doses, can increase the risk of glial tumors, with a latency period of up to 20 years after exposure.
Other factors may also contribute to the development of the disease:
- Diseases of genetic origin that predispose to tumor formation include neurofibromatosis type 1 and type 2, Lynch syndrome, Turcot syndrome, and Li-Fraumeni syndrome.
- Although it can develop anytime, it is more frequent after 45.
- Sex is somewhat more frequent in men than in women.
Symptoms
Because glioblastomas can proliferate, the most common symptoms are usually caused by increased pressure in the brain. These symptoms may include headache, nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness. In addition, seizures, progressive cognitive dysfunction, personality changes, behavioral changes, and memory loss may occur.
Depending on the location of the tumor, patients may develop a variety of symptoms, such as weakness on one side of the body, memory loss and/or speech difficulties, and visual changes.
Prevention
There is no total preventive measure for the development of glioblastomas; however, in some cases, avoiding modifiable risk factors may help to reduce the risk. At the moment, the only identified risk factor associated with the development of these tumors is exposure to ionizing radiation.
Exposure to this type of radiation can occur by different routes:
- Internal exposure occurs when the radionuclide is inhaled, ingested, or injected.
- External exposure occurs when the radioactive material is present in the environment.
The people most exposed to this type of radiation are astronauts (from cosmic radiation), X-ray medical personnel, researchers, and radioactive facility personnel. In addition, additional exposures may be received at each X-ray and nuclear medicine examination.
