What distinguishes glioblastoma tumors?

Glioblastoma tumors are distinguished by being the most aggressive brain tumors. This classification stems from their rapid rate of growth, high degree of malignancy, and tendency to invade surrounding brain tissue. They arise from glial cells, which provide support and protection for neurons, and commonly occur in the cerebral hemispheres as well as in other regions of the brain. Their aggressive nature leads to poor prognosis and challenges in treatment.

In addition, glioblastomas are characterized by their resistance to standard therapies, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, which contributes to their severity. This sets them apart from benign tumors, which grow slowly and do not invade neighboring tissues, making the claim that they are benign and slow-growing inaccurate. While glioblastomas can occur in adults, they are quite rare in children, therefore the idea that they are typically found in children does not hold true. Furthermore, they primarily originate within the brain itself, rather than from outside structures, which eliminates the notion that they originate outside of the brain.