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What are the common types of brain tumors?
Brain tumors vary widely; common types include gliomas, meningiomas, and pituitary adenomas, each with unique characteristics.
How is a brain tumor diagnosed?
Diagnosis typically involves MRI scans, neurological exams, and sometimes biopsy to determine tumor type and grade.
What treatment options are available for brain tumors?
Treatment can include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination tailored to the tumor’s specifics.
Where can I find reliable brain tumor research updates?
BrainTumorLetter.com offers up-to-date, evidence-based articles and news for patients and professionals.
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- 1p/19q Co-deletion: A chromosomal deletion often found in oligodendrogliomas, associated with better response to treatment and prognosis.
- Astrocytoma: A tumor that arises from star-shaped glial cells (astrocytes); can range from slow-growing (low-grade) to aggressive (high-grade).
- Biopsy: A surgical procedure to remove a small sample of tumor tissue for diagnostic examination under a microscope.
- Chemotherapy: The use of drugs to kill or inhibit the growth of cancer cells, often used in combination with other therapies.
- Clinical Trial: A research study involving patients to test new treatments, drugs, or procedures for safety and effectiveness.
- Craniotomy: A surgical operation where a portion of the skull is temporarily removed to access and remove or biopsy a brain tumor.
- CT Scan (Computed Tomography): An imaging method that uses X-rays to produce detailed cross-sectional images of the brain.
- EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor): A gene that may be overexpressed or mutated in glioblastomas, making it a potential target for therapy.
- Glioblastoma (GBM): An aggressive, fast-growing brain tumor that originates from glial cells; considered the most malignant type of glioma.
- IDH Mutation: A mutation in the isocitrate dehydrogenase gene; tumors with this mutation tend to grow more slowly and have a better prognosis.
- Immunotherapy: A treatment that uses the body’s own immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells; still experimental in brain tumors.
- Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap): A procedure to collect cerebrospinal fluid to check for cancer cells or abnormal pressure, especially in pediatric cases.
- Medulloblastoma: A highly malignant brain tumor that typically occurs in children and arises in the cerebellum, the lower back part of the brain.
- Meningioma: A typically benign tumor that forms in the meninges, the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
- MGMT Promoter Methylation: A molecular marker that indicates a tumor may respond better to the chemotherapy drug temozolomide.
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): A detailed imaging technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to visualize brain structures and tumors.
- Multidisciplinary Team (MDT): A group of healthcare professionals from different specialties who collaborate on diagnosis and treatment planning.
- Oligodendroglioma: A slower-growing glioma that arises from oligodendrocytes, typically found in the cerebral hemispheres of the brain.
- Palliative Care: Specialized medical care that focuses on relieving symptoms and improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses.
- PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography): An imaging test that shows metabolic activity of tissues and helps identify active tumor regions.
- Radiation Therapy: The use of high-energy rays or particles to target and destroy cancer cells, often used after surgery.
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS): A highly precise form of radiation treatment that delivers focused beams to brain tumors with minimal damage to surrounding tissue.
- Targeted Therapy: A type of treatment that uses drugs to interfere with specific molecules involved in tumor growth and progression.
- Temozolomide (TMZ): An oral chemotherapy drug that crosses the blood–brain barrier and is commonly used in treating glioblastoma.
- Tumor-Treating Fields (TTF): A non-invasive treatment that uses alternating electric fields to disrupt the division of cancer cells.
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