Glioblastoma Multiforme - Causes

Causes

For unknown reasons, GBM occurs more commonly in males. Most glioblastoma tumors appear to be sporadic, without any genetic predisposition. No links have been found between glioblastoma and smoking, consumption of cured meat, or electromagnetic fields. Alcohol consumption may be a possible risk factor. Recently, evidence for a viral cause has been discovered, possibly SV40 or cytomegalovirus. There also appears to be a small link between ionizing radiation and glioblastoma. Some also believe that there may be a link between polyvinyl chloride (which is commonly used in construction) and glioblastoma. A 2006 analysis links brain cancer to lead exposure in the work-place. There is an association of brain tumor incidence and malaria, suggesting that the anopheles mosquito, the carrier of malaria, might transmit a virus or other agent that could cause glioblastoma.

Other risk factors include:

• Sex: male (slightly more common in men than women)
• Age: over 50 years old
• Ethnicity: Caucasians, Asians
• Having a low-grade astrocytoma (brain tumor), which often, given enough time, develops into a higher-grade tumor
• Having one of the following genetic disorders is associated with an increased incidence of gliomas:
  • Neurofibromatosis
  • Tuberous sclerosis
  • Von Hippel-Lindau disease
  • Li-Fraumeni syndrome
  • Turcot syndrome