What is GBM?
WHAT IS GBM?
About glioblastoma
Glioblastoma, or GBM, is a type of primary brain cancer. This means that GBM tumors begin in the brain, rather than starting in another part of the body and traveling to the brain. GBM is the most common type of primary brain cancer in adults.
Dennis, an Optune Gio user and Patient Ambassador
Who gets GBM?
You or your loved one’s diagnosis may have been the first time you heard about GBM. Because of this, it may seem like GBM is rare compared with other types of cancer. But you are not alone.
Behind the Mystery: Glioblastoma
Learn more about glioblastoma, or GBM, a rare tumor found in the brain that can be difficult to treat.
What part of the brain does GBM affect?
Most people get GBM tumors in their cerebral hemispheres. These are the left and right halves of the brain that control reading, thinking, speech, muscle movement, and emotions. Rarely, GBM can also appear in the brain stem or spinal cord.
What symptoms does GBM cause?
GBM rarely spreads to other areas of the body. But GBM tumors can grow quickly in the brain. Because of this, you may have noticed symptoms that appeared suddenly, as if out of nowhere.
As a GBM tumor grows, it can put pressure on the brain. This can cause:
Headaches
Nausea and vomiting
Drowsiness
Depending on the location of the tumor, GBM can also interfere with how the brain controls other parts of the body. This can lead to: