Glioblastoma Awareness Day (GBM Day) occurs each year on the third Wednesday of July.
Initially introduced to the Senate in 2018 by a bipartisan group of U.S. senators in response to the death of Senator John McCain, GBM Day is dedicated to increasing general awareness of Glioblastoma, which accounts for almost half of all cancerous brain tumors in adults.
Donate to support access to advanced care for GBM patients below.
The EndBrainCancer Initiative (formerly, The Chris Elliott Fund), was established in May, 2002 by my late husband, Chris Elliott, and I. The reason for this Initiative, the Chris Elliott Fund, and our day-to-day work has always been about IMMEDIATE ACCESS to advanced treatments, studies and clinical trials and the frustration we experienced early on in our brain cancer journey with not being immediately referred to a top brain tumor specialist, neurosurgeon and/or a neuro-oncologist as well as advanced treatments, studies and clinical trials.
GBM Facts & Stats
GBM accounts for
48%
of all malignant brain tumors
#Glioblastoma is a disease that everyone should care about. It can strike men, women, and children of any age, background, or walks of life. Did you know, GBM accounts for 48 percent of all primary malignant brain tumors?
Source: National Brain Tumor Society. Glioblastoma Facts & Figures
There are only
four
FDA approved drugs - and one device - to treat Glioblastoma
Despite first being identified in scientific literature in the 1920s, there are only four FDA approved drugs to treat #glioblastoma.
Source: National Brain Tumor Society. Glioblastoma Facts & Figures
Causes of Glioblastoma remain
unknown
They can occur in people of all ages, but are most common in adults.
According to thought leaders in medicine, the causes of GBM remain unknown and the disease can affect all ages and genders. However, these factors may increase your risk:
- Exposure to chemicals, such as pesticides, petroleum, synthetic rubber and vinyl chloride.
- Genetic, tumor-causing conditions, such as neurofibromatosis, Li-Fraumeni syndrome and Turcot syndrome.
- Previous radiation therapy to the head.
Source: The Cleveland Clinic
Pediatric GBM is a rare
entity which consists of only
2%-3%
of all childhood brain tumors.
"While pediatric glioblastoma (pGBM) and adult #GBM share similar histological features, they differ in genetic and epigenetic landscape such that they should be regarded as molecularly distinct entities... Owing to the rarity of pGBM, most of the studies have clubbed all high-grade gliomas together without separately analysing GBM, limiting the information on its incidence, management protocol and outcome."
Source: Singla, A. K., Madan, R., Gupta, K., Goyal, S., Kumar, N., Sahoo, S. K., ... & Ahuja, C. K. (2021).
Glioblastoma tumors are highly malignant because
the cells reproduce
quickly
Glioblastoma is very difficult to treat due to its limited therapies, location and composition. These tumors can be difficult to treat because they contain so many different types of cells.
Globally, over
241,000
people die each year as a result of brain or nervous system cancer... with GBM being the most common form
#GBMFacts | Glioblastoma is not a national concern - it's a global issue. Not only does GBM account for 48 percent of all primary malignant brain tumors, but it can also affect anyone from all walks of life.
Glioblastoma Relative
Survival Rates
35% - 1 Yr
13.7% - 2 Yr
8% - 3 Yr
5.8% - 4 Yr
4.7% - 5 Yr
Data gathered on the GBM survival rate is bleak and discouraging, yet we remain optimistic that a cure for #glioblastoma is on the horizon. To our GBM survivors, we see you, and you give us hope!
Learn more about the GBM survival rate on our blog and let us know what you'd like to learn about next:
Glioblastoma, sometimes referred to as Glioblastoma multiforme, is considered a grade IV tumor.
#DidYouKnow: GBM is considered a grade IV tumor. They are the most aggressive and very infiltrative -- they quickly spread into other parts of the brain. Glioblastomas don't metastasize (or spread) outside of the brain.
The most prevalent brain tumor types in adults are
Gliomas
(Astrocytomas, such as Glioblastoma as well as Ependymomas and Oligodendrogliomas) which make up 81% of malignant brain tumors in adults.
#DidYouKnow: An estimated 72,360 adults age 40+ will be diagnosed with a primary brain tumor in 2022 in the U.S. The most prevalent brain tumor types in adults are meningiomas and gliomas, such as glioblastoma, which make up 81% of malignant brain tumors in adults!
Interested in learning more about Glioblastoma symptoms?
The EndBrainCancer Initiative | Chris Elliott Fund is dedicated to ensuring that all patients diagnosed with brain cancer, a brain tumor, or metastatic disease to the brain have equal access to advanced diagnostics, FDA-approved treatments, specialists and clinical trials. We believe that IMMEDIATE ACCESS to these options provides the patient community with the best HOPE for survival and sustained quality of life. We advocate for policy and care improvements while echoing the patient’s voice in clinical trial protocol. We partner with industry, patients, researchers, advocacy groups, medical teams, hospital networks and others to educate patients and their caregivers with a focus on next generation sequencing so they can have empowered conversations with medical teams.
Glioblastoma (also known as glioblastoma multiforme or GBM), is the most aggressive type of brain tumor. It is non-genetic, rapidly forming, and the causes of it are unclear. The current treatment options are composed of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy - however are ineffective for long-term survival. The median survival of a person diagnosed with glioblastoma is about 15 months, and without treatment, the number drastically drops to 3-6 months.
WHO IS LIKELY TO GET DIAGNOSED WITH GLIOBLASTOMA
Research shows that males are 60% more likely to develop glioblastoma overall than females - which may be linked to testosterone, although sex differences are an understudied area of research.
ARE THERE ANY CLINICAL TRIALS FOR GLIOBLASTOMA
There are currently over 1500 clinical trials for Glioblastoma as identified on Clinicaltrials.gov. To learn more about clinical trials and enrolment eligibility, please contact your medical provider or refer to the ClinicalTrials.gov.
WHAT IS THE PROGNOSIS FOR SOMEONE DIAGNOSED WITH GLIOBLASTOMA
The average survival time for a patient with Glioblastoma is 12-18 months. 25% of glioblastoma patients survive more than one year, and only 5% of patients survive more than five years. It is important to remember that each patient is different, which means each situation will be different. A prognosis given at the initial time of diagnosis may be based off your current tumor type and current situation, however may change once treatment begins as other factors can be taken into account as time progresses (ex. how well you respond to treatment).
Note: A prognosis is an ongoing process and can be revised at different stages throughout your journey. Statistics and averages cannot tell you what will specifically happen to you. It is important to connect with your medical provider and healthcare team throughout your process for accurate, and unique information that is specific to you.
IS THERE A CURE FOR GLIOBLASTOMA
There is currently no cure for Glioblastoma. The current standard of care is composed of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. In many cases, medical advisors may suggest a combination of these different techniques. Each patient is different, therefore each treatment, each prognosis, and many other factors will be unique to your particular situation.
HOW IS GLIOBLASTOMA DIAGNOSED
The first step in a Glioblastoma diagnosis starts by visiting your healthcare provider in which you’ll be asked a series of questions regarding your health, your medical history and your family history. During this appointment, it is possible that your medical provider will perform a series of exams to check your vision, hearing, sense of touch, strength, reflexes, and memory. If your medical provider believes you may be at risk of a tumor, they may request additional testing be done to ensure an accurate diagnosis with tests such as:
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Used to assist in locating tumors, identifying swelling, identifying blood build-up, as well areas affected by stroke.
CT scan (Computed Tomography): This test can assist in locating areas of fresh bleeding, skull bone changes, as well as calcium deposits.
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS): This test measures biochemical processes in different parts of the brain. Note: It can be done as part of an MRI.
Needle biopsy: A CT scan or MRI is used to guide a needle into the tumor to take out a small piece of it for testing.
Blood or other tests: These can help show how well certain organs are working and give an idea of your overall health.
ENDBRAINCANCER INITIATIVE | CHRIS ELLIOTT FUND
Enhancing patient outcomes by expanding FDA-approved treatment modalities and fueling research in the pharma/bio/life sciences, device & diagnostic industries and by closing the existing GAP from initial diagnosis to IMMEDIATE AND EXPANDED ACCESS to specialists, researchers, advanced & innovative treatments, clinical trials and critical care with the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes through updating and improving WHO & NCCN Guidelines and clinical practices related to Standard of Care for brain cancer patients.
