Etymed
glioblastoma
Definition
A malignant brain tumor composed of glial cells that have undergone abnormal proliferation and differentiation
Clinical context
A 68-year-old man presents with worsening headache, nausea, and right-sided weakness over the past 2 weeks. MRI of the brain reveals a large enhancing mass in the left frontal lobe with surrounding edema. The patient undergoes craniotomy and biopsy, which reveals a highly cellular tumor with microvascular proliferation and necrosis. Glioblastoma is the most common and aggressive primary malignant brain tumor in adults.
Mnemonic
GLIOBLASTOMA - Glial cells, Large, aggressive, Brain tumor, Often malignant, With necrosis, Poor prognosis, Tumor with microvascular proliferation