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Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and most aggressive of the primary brain tumors and is highly malignant. It infiltrates the brain extensively, and at times may become enormous before symptoms appear, but it seldom metastasizes, or spreads, to the spinal cord or outside the nervous system. GBM symptoms are typically caused by the tumor's growing size, which increases pressure in the skull and on the brain. Specific symptoms may suggest a tumor's location, size or type. A seizure may be the first indication of a brain tumor, or the first sign of a recurring tumor. Most patients also experience headaches at some point during the course of their illness. Other symptoms may include:
  • Change in vision
  • Changes in personality, memory and speech
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Weakness or loss of feeling in the arms and legs
  • Drowsiness
Treatment Malignant brain tumors are usually treated with a combination of treatments. Surgery, radiation therapy, a special form of radiation called stereotactic radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these treatments, are used to treat brain tumors. When determining which treatment to use, physicians usually review the severity and type of the tumor and the general health of the patient. Prognosis The survival rates in people with brain tumors depends on many different variables including:
  • Tumor grade, the tendency to spread and the growth rate
  • Tumor location, (location affects whether the tumor can be removed surgically)
  • Patient's age and ability to function
  • Duration of symptoms
Because of the guarded prognosis for many malignant brain tumors, support for the patients, as well as preservation of quality of life, are critical components of treatment.

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Independent doctors are not employed by UF Health, but may provide medical care at one of our locations.

Clinical trials: Glioblastoma

UF Health research scientists make medicine better every day. They discover new ways to help people by running clinical trials. When you join a clinical trial, you can get advanced medical care. Sometimes years before it's available everywhere. You can also help make medicine better for everyone else. If you'd like to learn more about clinical trials, visit our clinical trials page. Or click one of the links below:

OPTIMUS PRIME - Laser Ablation Surgery and Pembrolizumab for Recurrent GlIoblastoMa

In this study we are evaluating the safety and feasibility of the triple combination (TTFields, MLA, pembrolizumab) in adult patients diagnosed with recurrent or progressive glioblastoma (GBM) WHO Grade IV, IDH wild type or recurrent or progressive…

Investigator
Ashley Ghiaseddin
Status
Accepting Candidates
Ages
18 Years - 90 Years
Sexes
All
EF-41/ KEYNOTE D58

This is a multicenter, two-arm, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of Optune® (Tumor Treating Fields at 200 kHz) together with maintenance Temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy agent and pembrolizumab compared to Optune® together with…

Investigator
Ashley Ghiaseddin
Status
Accepting Candidates
Ages
18 Years - N/A
Sexes
All
View all glioblastoma studies

News and patient stories: Glioblastoma

Surprising finding could pave way for universal cancer vaccine

July 18, 2025

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — An experimental mRNA vaccine boosted the tumor-fighting effects of immunotherapy in a mouse-model study, bringing researchers one step…

College of Medicine, McKnight Brain Institute, UF Health Cancer Institute, +2 more

Sayour and colleagues in a lab
More Glioblastoma stories