Although little known, glioblastoma is the most aggressive and common brain tumor in adults.
- Epileptic seizures, visual or language disturbances, concentration problems, headaches… The symptoms of glioblastoma are plural and quite difficult to detect.
- Research and training on glioblastoma constitute two major challenges.
On the occasion of World Cancer Day, the association Stars in the Sea wishes to draw the attention of the general public and healthcare professionals to glioblastoma.
2,400 new cases declared each year in France
Although little known, this brain tumor is the most aggressive and the most frequent in adults. The aggressiveness of this disease is synonymous with very rapid progression, which unfortunately leaves little hope of remission for the 2,400 new cases reported each year in France (median survival expectancy is 15 months). “Today, glioblastoma is incurable, but early detection makes it possible to operate on patients, and thus save them an average of 17 months of life expectancy”, eexplains Laetitia Clabé, president of the association Stars in the Sea and operating room nurse.
Glioblastoma has the particularity of requiring an extremely rapid reaction, with the almost immediate organization of a surgical intervention. It makes it possible to specify the diagnosis, which will be followed by radio-chemotherapy for several weeks.
What are the symptoms of glioblastoma?
“The new daily life of the patient and his entourage is completely turned upside down”underlines the association of patients. “In this time of a pandemic, there are still other challenges and other consequences that the people concerned must face: increased isolation, depressive syndrome, emotional and cognitive decline…”adds Stars in the Sea.
Epileptic seizures, visual or language disturbances, concentration problems, headaches… The symptoms of glioblastoma are plural and quite difficult to detect. “Several months can pass between the onset of the signs and the diagnosis. We therefore want better training for health professionals in screening for this disease, particularly at the level of medical schools and emergency physicians”, continues Laetitia Clabé.
“An unprofitable disease for pharmaceutical companies”
Research is also a major issue. “Neuro-oncology has evolved very little in 20 years for lack of resources. We do not have the support of pharmaceutical laboratories, as may be the case for chronic diseases, because glioblastoma evolves so quickly that it is not not profitable, concludes Laetitia Clabé.
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