• Home

Home > Medical Reference > Patient Education

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Symptoms
• Risk Factors
• Causes
• Prognosis
• Diagnosis
• Common Brain Tumors
• Treatment
• Surgery
• Radiotherapy
• Chemotherapy
• Other Treatments
• Treatment of Complications
• Resources
• References

Brain tumors - primary

Description

An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of brain tumors.

Alternative Names

Gliomas; Medulloblastoma

Highlights

Cell Phones and Brain Tumors

Cell phones and other wireless devices do not cause brain cancer, according to several 2006 studies. The researchers studied how many years people had used mobile phones, and how long they usually talked on the phone, and found no association with gliomas.

Genetic Testing and Treatment

Scientists continue to investigate how genetic testing of tumors can help predict survival and determine treatments.

• Testing for chromosomal deletions in tumors should be a standard diagnostic test, according to a 2006 study in Lancet Oncology . Researchers found that chromosomal deletion status was a better predictor of survival than treatment type.
• Screening gliomas for genetic variation can help predict which tumors will respond to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase inhibitors such as erlotinib (Tarceva) and gefitinib (Iressa), suggests a New England Journal of Medicine study.

Radiotherapy for Low-Grade Glioma

A “wait and see” approach to radiation therapy is appropriate for patients with low-grade gliomas, indicates a 2005 Lancet study. Researchers found that radiotherapy immediately after surgery extended the time it took for cancer to progress, but did not affect overall survival. The researchers suggest that patients with low-grade gliomas who are in good condition can delay radiation therapy as long as they are carefully monitored.

Medulloblastoma Treatment

A new approach to radiotherapy and chemotherapy may help double the chances for 5-year survival in children with high-risk medulloblastoma, suggests research in Lancet Oncology . In the study, children with high-risk brain tumors received a higher dose of radiotherapy to the neck and spine than children with standard-risk cancer, and a shortened course of chemotherapy.

Brain Tumors in Children

According to a 2006 study, children with brain tumors exhibit the following symptoms:

• Headache (56%)
• Vomiting (51%)
• Educational or behavioral problems (44%)
• Unsteadiness (40%)
• Visual difficulties (38%)

• Review Date: 10/19/2006
• Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.