Brain tumours: from glioblastoma to metastases – types and prevalence
Although rare, brain tumours can be aggressive and difficult to diagnose at an early stage, with personalised treatments that vary according to a range of clinical factors
A brain tumour is the cause of the cerebral oedema that led to Alessandro Di Battista falling ill. However, there are many different types of brain tumour. In all of them, cells in the central nervous system grow uncontrollably and disrupt its functioning. This type of malignant tumour is relatively rare: there are 6,000 new diagnoses a year in Italia, accounting for 1.6 per cent of all cancers recorded annually. According to the data, men are the most affected. As highlighted in the report ‘Cancer Statistics in Italia’ – published by the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (Aiom) and the Italian Association of Cancer Registries (Airtum) –, there is no possibility of ‘early diagnosis’ for these tumours, which are only detected once symptoms have appeared. These symptoms, in turn, are difficult to link to precise diagnoses: the Agostino Gemelli IRCCS University Hospital in Rome explains that brain tumours manifest in different ways, depending mainly on the area in which they develop and their size.
The most common malignant tumour
The most common malignant tumour of the central nervous system in adults – aged between 45 and 75 – is glioblastoma, with an estimated incidence rate of around 3–4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year. It is a highly aggressive form that grows rapidly and tends to invade surrounding tissues, making complete removal difficult.
Glioblastoma belongs to the family of gliomas. These tumours arise from cells known as ‘glial cells’, which provide nourishment and support to neurons. A distinction is made between low-grade tumours – more common between the ages of 20 and 40 – and high-grade tumours – more common between the ages of 40 and 70. Gliomas, also known as yellow tumours, account for around 40 per cent of all tumours of the central nervous system in adults.
Metastases
Whilst gliomas are primary brain tumours – that is, tumours that originate in the brain – there are also secondary gliomas, which are metastases that first develop in other organs and then spread to the nervous tissue.
Treatment depends on the type of tumour, its nature, its location, its extent and the patient’s clinical condition. The medical team may carry out surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, either separately or in combination.
