Gliomas and Glioblastomas

First, you’ll have physical and neurological exams and imaging tests like a CT scan or MRI so we can get a better look at the tumor. Then, our Cleveland Clinic brain tumor team will look at your test results and unique diagnosis during regular tumor board meetings. Our tumor board is made up of different providers from different specialties. All these experts work together to make the best recommendations for your treatment.

Biopsy

If we see something unusual, we’ll likely do a biopsy to get a small tissue sample from the tumor, using a computer-guided (stereotactic) needle or surgery. By studying this tissue, we can learn if the tumor is cancerous, what kind of cells are in it, how fast the cells are multiplying and if there are any inherited (genetic) reasons causing it.

Second opinions for glioma and glioblastoma

At Cleveland Clinic, we know getting a cancer diagnosis can be emotional — and stressful. That’s why we encourage second opinions. And when you reach out to us, we’ll do our best to schedule your appointment quickly, so can feel confident with your diagnosis and get the high-quality care you need.

Meet Our Glioma and Glioblastoma Team

At Cleveland Clinic, our team approach means you’ll get coordinated care from highly skilled providers who specialize in brain tumor diagnosis and treatment. They’ll work together to learn more about the tumor and design a treatment plan personalized to you. Your care team could include:

• Neurologists/Neuro-Oncologists.
• Neurosurgeons.
• Medical Oncologists.
• Radiation Oncologists.
• Radiologists.
• Pathologists.
• Nurse practitioners.
• Physician assistants.
• Social Workers.

Once we know what kind of tumor you have and understand how fast it’s growing, we can start putting together your personalized treatment plan. We don’t have a single type of glioma and glioblastoma treatment because no two tumors are alike. Instead, we look at all your test results and decide what we think will work best to ease your pain and slow the tumor’s growth.

Surgery

Removing all of the tumor, or as much as possible, is the first step in glioma and glioblastoma treatment. Most likely, you’ll need to have open brain surgery (craniotomy). In this surgery, you’ll be asleep from general anesthesia. Your surgeon will carefully remove a piece of your skull to get to your brain and remove the tumor.

Laser ablation

Depending on the tumor’s size and location, you may need to have a minimally invasive treatment called laser ablation instead of surgery. We’ll make a tiny hole in your skull and use heat from a laser probe to destroy the tumor. We often do this when the tumor’s located too deep inside for us to safely do a craniotomy.

Other treatments

There are other ways to slow and manage glioma and glioblastoma tumor growth. Our providers might use any or all of these as part of your personalized treatment plan:

• Radiation therapy.
• Chemotherapy.
• Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).
• Stereotactic radiosurgery (Gamma knife radiosurgery).
• Targeted therapy.
• Tumor treatment fields (TTF).
• Brachytherapy.

Clinical trials

Cleveland Clinic’s active research includes new approaches to targeted therapy and immunotherapy. We often suggest clinical trials in your treatment plan right away instead of waiting to see whether standard therapies will work.

Sometimes your body can start resisting glioma and glioblastoma therapies, and the tumors may come back. Clinical trials that research new therapies can give you the chance to get better outcomes. Some people with glioma or glioblastoma remain cancer-free long after receiving our innovative treatments. Talk with your provider to see if you’re able to take part in any clinical trials as part of your personalized care plan.

Post-treatment care

During and after treatment, you’ll keep seeing your providers for exams and imaging scans to see if the cancer returns. Sometimes the treatments to destroy the cancer cells can also damage healthy brain tissue, so you might need to see our physical and occupational therapists. They can help you with walking, speaking, remembering things and other treatment side effects.  

At Cleveland Clinic, your cancer survivorship reaches beyond the physical and includes your mental and emotional health, too. We’re here to help you get counseling, find support groups and learn ways to eat better and exercise more.

Taking the Next Step

Brain cancers like glioma and glioblastoma can leave you feeling uncertain about your future — during and after treatment. It’s important to remember that you’re not alone. We’re here to support you every step of the way with personalized treatment that focuses on your physical and emotional needs. We want to relieve your symptoms and ease your fears so you can put your energy toward recovery.