How do race and sex, independently and in tandem, contribute to the genetic risk of glioblastoma

Glioblastoma is the most common primary brain cancer, of which around 15,000 people are diagnosed annually, with a very narrow survival rate of 6.9%.The various factors that contribute to glioblastoma have been slowly but steadily unveiled; we're aware of environmental factors that potentially affect pathways leading to glioblastoma.More and more research looks at the effect of sex or race on glioblastoma, but not both.There is a clear gap in knowledge about the pathways altered/caused by sex and race that lead to glioblastoma, as well as the genetic solutions.This review paper will cover the genetic causes of glioblastoma and their pathway for women of color, as well as the solutions present both surgically and therapeutically.Introduction: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain cancer, of which around 15,000 people are diagnosed annually, and has a very narrow survival rate of 6.9%.GBM starts as the growth of cells in either the spinal cord or the brain.The location can further specify the subtype it belongs to and display accelerated growth into healthy tissue.GBM is commonly located in the supratentorial region of the brain (frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes) and is rarely located in the cerebellum [36].GBM forms from healthy cells called astrocytes, which serve to support nerve cells.Most cases (>90%) are primary GBM that develop without clinical evidence of a less malignant precursor lesion or de novo.[12] The unexpected switch from support to harm is what makes GBM so deadly; its unexpected new role leaves nerve cells supportless and at risk.The various factors that lead to GBM have been slowly but steadily unveiled; we're aware of environmental factors potentially affecting pathways leading to GBMs.Common symptoms of GBM can include headaches, nausea, difficulty speaking, altered senses, and seizures (Mayo Clinic).Unfortunately, Survival from GBM is poor; only a few patients survive 2.5 years, and less than 5% of patients survive 5 years following diagnosis [36].However, as noted in many cancers, there is a clear sex bias.A review of data that sex hormones have and can impact cancers outside of the reproductive system has gone underway with the linkage between sex hormones and GBM and even leading to different trends in the epidemiological pathway to GBM[6, 41] Race also has a profound role in cancer, with non-Hispanic whites having higher incidence and lower survival rates for GBM compared with individuals of other racial or ethnic groups [28] These trends have not gone unnoticed with more research exploring the specific genetic pathways each variable influences.Research investigating sex and race effects on genetics does exist and attempts to bridge a division of knowledge; however, much of this research focuses on the role sex and race play in survival [7].