Does Glioblastoma Run in Families?

Glioblastoma is a type of cancerous tumor that develops in the brain and spinal cord. It’s an aggressive cancer that grows and spreads quickly, compromising vital functions in the brain and nervous system.

At Coast Neurosurgical Associates in Long Beach, California, our expert team provides accurate diagnosis and comprehensive care for people with complex brain and spinal conditions, including glioblastoma.

Does glioblastoma run in families? 

Approximately 12,000 Americans are diagnosed with glioblastoma every year. It accounts for around half of all brain tumor diagnoses in the United States and often occurs in individuals with no family history of brain tumors.

While glioblastoma doesn’t commonly run in families, there are inherited genetic changes that could increase your risk of cancer. Let’s take an in-depth look at this potentially serious condition.

Symptoms of glioblastoma

Due to a rapid growth rate, the first signs of glioblastoma generally stem from the pressure that the tumor or tumors put on the brain. Symptoms may differ depending on where the cancer resides in the brain and include:

• Persistent headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Seizures
• Memory loss
• Drowsiness or extreme fatigue
• Mood or personality changes
• Blurred vision or double vision
• Trouble speaking
• Cognitive impairment and difficulty thinking or focusing

To diagnose glioblastoma, we perform a full physical and neurological examination along with an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). That gives us a complete understanding of the size and location of the tumor.

Am I at risk of developing glioblastoma?

Medical science doesn’t fully understand what causes glioblastoma. However, certain factors may increase your risk of developing this type of brain tumor, such as:

History of radiation

If you’ve had prior radiation treatments for other brain cancers or tumors that spread to your head or neck, it can put you at risk of developing glioblastoma in the future.

Age and gender

Men are more likely to develop glioblastoma, and the risk increases as you get older. It could happen at any time. However, the average age of diagnosis is 64. 

Some hereditary disorders

While only 5% of cases are linked to a family history, hereditary disorders that cause genetic mutations can increase the likelihood of glioblastoma. These include Turcot syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, and neurofibromatosis type 1.

How is glioblastoma treated?

In most cases, the most effective treatment for glioblastoma is a multi-step approach that begins with surgery. Our skilled neurosurgeons remove the tumor using state-of-the-art techniques that leave healthy brain tissue undamaged.

After we remove the tumor, you typically undergo additional treatments like radiation and chemotherapy to eliminate any remaining cancer cells. These treatments also slow the growth of tumors that can’t be removed without damage to brain tissue.

We understand that the prospect of brain cancer is scary. Our team at Coast Neurosurgical Associates provides the highest-quality care with empathy and expertise. Call or book an appointment online with our Long Beach, California, office today.