Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive diffuse glioma of the adult central nervous system. It infiltrates surrounding brain tissue and is difficult to remove completely.

Diffuse glioma: A glioma that infiltrates central nervous system tissue rather than growing as a sharply bounded mass. Glioblastoma is an adult diffuse glioma whose cells spread through brain tissue.
Glioblastoma diagnosis: The process of identifying glioblastoma through clinical assessment, imaging, tissue examination, and molecular testing. Diagnosis establishes the tumor’s grade and molecular profile before treatment planning.
Glioma: A tumor arising from glial cells or their precursor cells in the central nervous system. Glioblastoma is a high-grade member of this broad tumor family.
Astrocytoma, IDH-mutant: An adult diffuse glioma defined by an IDH1 or IDH2 mutation and astrocytic differentiation. Unlike glioblastoma, this tumor is defined by an IDH mutation and forms a separate diagnostic type.
IDH-wildtype glioblastoma: A glioblastoma lacking mutations in IDH1 and IDH2, the defining molecular category for most adult cases. This molecular category captures the common adult form and its diagnostic criteria.
Magnetic resonance imaging: An imaging technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the body. MRI is central to detecting and monitoring brain tumors, though imaging alone cannot confirm glioblastoma.
World Health Organization classification of central nervous system tumors: The international system for classifying central nervous system tumors using histology and molecular features. Its current criteria define glioblastoma as a distinct adult-type diffuse glioma.
Oligodendroglioma: A diffuse glioma defined by IDH mutation and combined whole-arm losses of chromosomes 1p and 19q. Its molecular definition and typical clinical course differ from glioblastoma.
Glioblastoma multiforme: A traditional name for glioblastoma, reflecting the tumor’s varied microscopic appearance. The historical name points to the striking variation in tumor tissue under the microscope.
Craniotomy: A surgical procedure in which part of the skull is temporarily removed to access the brain. It can provide tissue for diagnosis and permit removal of accessible tumor.

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