BrainWaves #75 Glioblastoma

MedLink Neurology Podcast is delighted to feature selected episodes from BrainWaves, courtesy of James E Siegler MD, its originator and host. BrainWaves is an academic audio podcast whose mission is to educate medical providers through clinical cases and topical reviews in neurology, medicine, and the humanities, and episodes originally aired from 2016 to 2021.

Originally released: August 3, 2017

The most common primary brain tumor that occurs in adults, glioblastoma multiforme, comes with a life expectancy shorter than practically every other form of cancer. But thanks to novel treatment strategies, advanced neuroimaging, and biomarker research, we are learning more and more about how to improve the survival and the quality of life of patients who suffer from this terrible illness.

Produced by James E Siegler and Neena Cherayil. Music by Axle, Coldnoise, Josh Woodward, and Kelly Latimer. Voiceover by Erika Mejia. BrainWaves' podcasts and online content are intended for medical education only and should not be used for clinical decision-making.

REFERENCES

Gately L, McLachlan SA, Dowling A, Philip J. Life beyond a diagnosis of glioblastoma: a systematic review of the literature. J Cancer Surviv 2017;11(4):447-52. PMID 28194640

Grady D. Glioblastoma, John Mccain’s Form of Brain Cancer, Carries Troubling Prognosis. New York Times, July 20, 2017.

Louis DN, Perry A, Reifenberger G, et al. The 2016 World Health Organization Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System: a summary. Acta Neuropathol 2016;131(6):803-20. PMID 27157931

Scutti S. Sen John McCain has aggressive brain tumor, surgically removed. CNN, July 19, 2017.

Stupp R, Hegi ME, Mason WP, et al. Effects of radiotherapy with concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide versus radiotherapy alone on survival in glioblastoma in a randomised phase III study: 5-year analysis of the EORTC-NCIC trial. Lancet Oncol 2009;10(5):459-66. PMID 19269895

Hegi ME, Diserens AC, Gorlia T, et al. MGMT gene silencing and benefit from temozolomide in glioblastoma. N Engl J Med 2005;352(10):997-1003. PMID 15758010

Thakkar JP, Dolecek TA, Horbinski C, et al. Epidemiologic and molecular prognostic review of glioblastoma. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014;23(10):1985-96. PMID 25053711

Weller M, Wick W. Neuro-oncology in 2013: improving outcome in newly diagnosed malignant glioma. Nat Rev Neurol 2014;10(2):68-70. PMID 24419684

We believe that the principles expressed or implied in the podcast remain valid, but certain details may be superseded by evolving knowledge since the episode’s original release date.