Glioblastoma multiforme: evidence-based approach to therapy

Abstract

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive of the infiltrating gliomas. Standards of care for treatment continue to evolve. In many westernized countries standard treatment of GBM at diagnosis includes surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In other parts of the world, chemotherapy that is considered beneficial by many is excluded from standard therapy, in large part due to issues of cost; treatment may be completely palliative, even limited to corticosteroid treatment alone. This review will focus on the current standard of care in the USA for newly diagnosed GBM, focusing on the evidence supporting that care.

Keywords::

• carmustine
• Gliadel^®
• glioblastoma multiforme
• radiotherapy
• recursive partitioning analysis
• temozolomide

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.