How does a grade 2 glioblastoma progress?

Grade 2 glioblastomas – actually grade 2 astrocytomas – are also called diffuse astrocytomas. These tumors usually occur at the age of about 30 years. They are generally classified as less malignant (low malignant), but the majority of these tumors will become more malignant over time and develop to a higher grade.

The symptoms, in turn, are strongly dependent on the location of the tumor. General cerebral pressure symptoms such as nausea, headache, dizziness, vomiting and lethargy are more common than in grade 1 astrocytoma. The most common symptom is sudden new epileptic seizures.

The symptoms do not appear until the tumor has reached a certain size, so that the patients have no symptoms at all for a long time beforehand and the disease is diagnosed quite late. Here too, surgery is attempted, although the tumor cannot usually be completely removed. Accordingly, radiation therapy (especially for children) and possibly also chemotherapy can be included in the treatment plan. A cure is usually no longer possible. With optimal therapy, there is an average life expectancy of 11 years.

How does a grade 3 glioblastoma progress?

Grade 3 glioblastomas – actually grade 3 astrocytomas – are also called undifferentiated (anaplastic) astrocytomas. These tumors usually occur between the ages of 35 and 55 years. They are classified as malignant.

Often they develop from grade 2 astrocytomas, but they can also occur anew (de novo). They grow very fast and infiltrate surrounding tissue. The symptoms do not differ from those of grade 2 astrocytomas.

General cerebral pressure symptoms and epileptic seizures are part of the classic appearance. Here, too, the therapeutic aim is to remove the tumor as far as possible. A complete removal is not possible.

Subsequently, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are performed. Even with optimal treatment, a cure is normally not possible. The average life expectancy is 9 years.

How does a grade 4 glioblastoma progress?

Grade 4 astrocytoma is also called glioblastoma.The glioblastoma grows very fast and infiltrates surrounding tissue with microscopic, tentacle-like extensions. The symptoms are the same as those of grade 3 astrocytoma, but here they often occur within weeks or a few months because the tumor grows so quickly. Surgery is aimed at removing as much of the tumor as possible, but complete removal is not possible because the tumor has already sent microscopic spurs into the surrounding brain.

Subsequently, a radiotherapy and, depending on the genetic profile of the tumor, a specific chemotherapy is performed. A distinction is made between primary (de-novo) glioblastoma and secondary glioblastoma. Primary glioblastoma is a new tumor that does not develop from lower precursors (e.g. grade 3 astrocytoma).

It mainly occurs around the age of 60 and unfortunately has a very poor prognosis. Even with optimal treatment the average life expectancy is only 10-15 months. Secondary glioblastoma is much rarer and develops from preliminary stages (e.g. grade 3 glioblastoma).

It accounts for only about 10% of glioblastomas (grade 4). It mainly occurs around the age of 45. Unfortunately, no cure is possible here either, but the average life expectancy of 2-2.5 years is slightly better than for secondary glioblastoma.