title: Glioblastoma Multiforme: A Review of its Epidemiology and Pathogenesis through Clinical Presentation and Treatment
abstract: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most malignant types of central nervous system tumors. Despite
  advances in treatment modalities it remains largely incurable. The objective of our review is to provide a holistic picture
  of GBM epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, clinical findings and treatment. A literature search was conducted for
  GBM at PubMed and Google Scholar, with relevant key words like glioblastoma multiforme, pathogenesis, signs
  and symptoms, treatment etc., and papers published until 2015 were reviewed. It was found that radiation and certain
  genetic syndromes are the only risk factors identified to date for GBM. Depending on the tumor site patients may
  present to the clinic with varying symptoms. To confirm the presence and the extent of tumor, various invasive and
  non-invasive imaging techniques require employment. The literature survey revealed the pathogenesis to involve
  aberrations of multiple signaling pathways through multiple genetic mutations and altered gene expression. Although
  several treatment options are available, including surgery, along with adjuvant chemo- and radio-therapy, the disease
  has a poor prognosis and patients generally succumb within 14 months of diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.|Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, University Road, Karachi 75270, Pakistan. Email:shabana.simjee@iccs.edu
authors.forename: Farina
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hanif
authors.forename: Kanza
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Muzaffar
authors.forename: Kahkashan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Perveen
authors.forename: Saima M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Malhi
authors.forename: Shabana U
authors.initials: ShU
authors.lastname: Simjee
keywords: Glioblastoma multiforme; epidemiology; MRI scan; mutations; temozolomide