What is the life expectancy if the glioblastoma is inoperable? | Life expectancy in glioblastoma

What is the life expectancy if the glioblastoma is inoperable?

If a glioblastoma is inoperable due to its localization, e.g. if the tumor is too deep or too close to vital areas, the prognosis is negatively affected compared to surgically removed glioblastomas. There are not yet many studies that can make clear scientific statements on this, but it is assumed that surgery can prolong survival. The goal of therapy is always to remove the glioblastoma as completely as possible. However, if surgical therapy is not possible, treatment is usually initiated in the form of chemo- and radiotherapy.

What is the life expectancy without treatment?

Due to the very fast, displacing growth, life expectancy at diagnosis of gliobastoma is very short. Within a few weeks, numerous local accumulations of tumor tissue form throughout the brain. The rapid growth causes an increase in pressure in the bony skull and compression of vital centers in the brain stem (including the respiratory center). The mean survival time without the comprehensive treatment from surgical removal (resection), chemo- and radiotherapy is therefore only about two months.

Is a cure possible?

Glioblastoma (WHO grade 4) is one of the malignant brain tumors. Due to its very rapid and displacing growth, it has a very poor prognosis. Glioblastomas usually only develop in old age (around the age of 60).

The initial symptoms depend on the location of the tumor. The rapid growth of the tumor causes a rapid increase in pressure within the skull, which compresses other areas of the brain. As a result, symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and severe headaches are possible.

In the further course of the disease, further growth can also cause disturbances of consciousness and, if the brain stem is compressed, respiratory paralysis. The therapy of choice is surgical removal in combination with radiation and chemotherapy, taking into account the location, size of the tumor and the patient’s general condition. This can slow down the growth of the tumor and alleviate any symptoms.

Due to the displacement of the tumor into the surrounding brain tissue, however, surgical removal can never remove all tumor cells. The therapy can therefore only delay the progression of tumor growth by a few months. The average life expectancy after diagnosis of a glioblastoma is 10 to 15 months.

Glioblastoma, i.e. grade 4 glioma, is a very aggressive and rapidly growing tumor. After diagnosis, life expectancy is usually only a few years. In glioblastoma, life expectancy varies slightly depending on the genetic makeup (the so-called MGMT methylation grade) of the tumor.

Depending on the genetic status, the average life expectancy is only 1-2 years. Anaplastic astrocytomas are gliomas of WHO grade 3. In contrast to diffuse astrocytomas, the tumor mass already consists mainly of malignant cells that grow displacing into the surrounding brain tissue.

The further transition into a glioblastoma (grade 4) is possible. Anaplastic astrocytomas also manifest themselves in adulthood (about 35 years of age). The symptoms and therapy are similar to those of diffuse astrocytomas.

The average life expectancy after diagnosis of the tumor is about 9 years. Grade 3 glioma, i.e. anaplastic astrocytoma, is a more aggressive tumor. The life expectancy is not as good as that of grade 1 and 2 glioma and is on average only 3 to 4 years.

However, the genetic factors of the tumor (the so-called IDH mutation) also play an important role here. With a favorable genetic profile, life expectancy can also be up to 6-8 years. Diffuse astrocytomas are gliomas of WHO grade 2.

In contrast to pilocystic astrocytomas, these tumors can already contain isolated malignant cells. Further growth and the transition to a glioma grade 3/4 is therefore possible. Diffuse astrocytomas usually manifest themselves in adulthood (about 35 years of age).

Depending on their localization, numerous symptoms are possible. As a rule, surgical removal does not result in complete removal of the tumor, which is why resection is combined with radiation and chemotherapy. The average life expectancy after diagnosis of a diffuse astrocytoma is about 11 years.

With a grade 2 glioma, i.e. diffuse astrocytomas, life expectancy is several years. The average life expectancy is 7-8 years, but it is strongly dependent on various genetic characteristics of the tumor (the so-called IDH mutation) and can be as much as 10 years in the best case. The benign glioma (WHO grade 1) is also called pilocystic astrocytoma.

It is the most common primary tumor in children. The mean age of the disease is 10 years. Pilocystic astrocytomas do not metastasize.

Symptoms caused by the tumor (e.g. vomiting, coordination disorders) occur due to the compression of surrounding brain areas. In this case surgical removal of the tumor is necessary. Through this resection the patient can be cured of the tumor.

Glioma grade 1, i.e. pilocytic astrocytoma, has a significantly better life expectancy than glioblastoma (glioma grade 4). With the basically benign pilocytic astrocytoma, over 90% of patients survive after 5 years. If the tumor is removed completely, there is a chance of cure, as this tumor does not usually become malignant.