Unless your life has been touched by it, chances are you don’t know what it is. One of the deadliest forms of cancer is brain cancer, and of those, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is known as The Terminator. With an average historical survival rate of about one year, with a 3-year survival rate of about 7%, it’s no wonder it’s been tagged with that moniker. Recent medical advances are beginning to catch up with many more “common” strains of cancer. Detected early enough, once the dreaded cancers are responding to treatment, and with the combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, people have had reason to be optimistic that they really can hope for a cure. Better methods of diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of the value of nutrition in boosting the body’s immune system to not only prevent, but also help fight disease. These promising developments, along with celebrities coming forward with their survivor experiences and moving on with their lives, give people hope and courage to face the challenges of treatment and recovery.
With virtually no progress for about 30 years, the treatment of brain cancer, including GBM, which has been treated as a chronic disease, has seen remarkable progress recently. The use of surgery, when possible, certain chemotherapeutic drugs, along with radiostatic treatments, has resulted in a steady increase in the median survival rate and a better quality of life during treatment.
I was diagnosed with GBM in June 2007. It was surgically resected (removed) almost immediately. After a wait of approximately 6 weeks (during which my neurosurgeon encouraged me to take a pre-scheduled vacation with my wife), I began a series of focused radioactive treatments 5 days a week, for 42 treatments. This focused treatment was preceded by a mapping and computer simulation program. Simultaneously with the treatments, I was prescribed Temodar, an oral chemotherapy drug. After that treatment ended, I continued Temodar 5 days a month for a year. Two and a half years later, there is no sign of the tumor. The attitude, my faith in God, the good fortune to be injured with a capable medical team and a support system of friends and family are all part of the reason I am able to update this article today.
The latest advances have been in the area of specific treatment based on the chemical and material composition of each individual tumor. The good news is that progress is indeed being made and it looks like we may find a cure for this horrible disease within our lifetimes.