An inoperable glioblastoma is a brain tumor of the 4th degree of malignancy. If to identify such an oncological disease at an early stage of development, the patient can be saved by removing the tumor, and then carrying out radiation and chemotherapy. But most often a person, for various reasons, is too late to turn to doctors. The disease is diagnosed at the last stages of development, therefore such treatment is not possible to conduct.
Why does an inoperable glioblastoma occur?
According to the type of occurrence of glioblastoma there are two types:
- Primary - originated initially in the brain;
- secondary - transferred with blood cells from the focus, affected by cancer, or provoked by a disease that causes genetic disorders.
The risk group for this disease includes people who:
- have close blood relatives who have been ill with glioblastoma;
- suffered a craniocerebral injury;
- contacted with radiation, chemical agents (especially with polyvinyl chloride), electromagnetic and ionized radiation;
- are ill with neurofibromatosis and complex viral diseases.
The most often inoperable is a multiform glioblastoma, characterized by the fact that malignant cells of unequal shape are located chaotically. At the same time between them can be located vessels and focal necrotic lesions.
Symptoms of an inoperable glioblastoma
Since the growth of the tumor causes pressure on different centers of the brain, the signs of an inoperable glioblastoma are various disorders:
- apathy and inhibition;
- loss of sensitivity;
- loss of speech;
- hallucinations (auditory and tactile);
- unreasonable vomiting and nausea;
- morning headache and dizziness;
- loss of limb mobility or complete paralysis;
- epileptic seizures.
Glioblastoma can be diagnosed with the following examinations:
- MRI;
- biopsy;
- positron emission tomography of the head;
- computer tomogaphy .
Depending on the results obtained, doctors prepare a prognosis for the development of the disease for each individual patient, and the necessary treatment is prescribed.
Prognosis for inoperable glioblastoma
The life span of a person with inoperable glioblastoma of the brain rarely reaches two years. This is due to the fact that it is completely impossible to cut such a tumor without risking damage to nerve cells and turning a person into a stationary being.
To prolong life and ease the condition, patients are recommended to carry out such activities:
- Chemotherapy. Such treatment helps to fight cancer cells with the help of medications, for example, Temodal. This makes it possible to contain their growth.
- Radiation therapy. It is aimed at the destruction of malignant cells by means of investment. It is recommended to conduct a course lasting 6 weeks, every day for 2 glasses a day.
- Photodynamic therapy. This intervention by means of a laser that is capable of destroying tumor cells without touching
healthy.
Often after these events, the patient with glioblastoma first becomes better, but then a relapse occurs, which leads to irreversible deviations in the body's activity and death.
Throughout the whole time from the diagnosis, patients need the support of close people. But, despite this, it is better for them to be in the hospital under the supervision of doctors who can, with the help of strong tranquilizers and pain medications, alleviate the painful symptoms that accompany them constantly, and the introduction of immunomodulators to support their vital forces.