Characterizing Biomechanical Tumor Growth

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most frequent malignant brain tumor in adults. Its rapid invasive growth can cause healthy-tissue deformation, so-called tumor masseffect, resulting in midline shift or herniation. Solid stress in brain tumors leads to neuronal loss and neurological dysfunction [1], and elevated tumor masseffect is associated to poor prognosis in GBM patients [2]. Despite presentation with similar imaging volumes, GBM can cause varying amounts of tissue deformation [2]. To investigate the relation between growth characteristics, mass-effect and manifestation on clinical imaging, we are developing a framework for characterizing mechanically-coupled GBM growth.