FAQs about brain tumors, answered by experts in the field.

Hereditary Brain Cancer and Glioblastoma Multiforme
Dear OncoLink,   My mother has recently been diagnosed as having a glioblastoma. I wonder if you could suggest a source for information regarding genetic causes. I had an uncle die from the same tumor eight months ago. Can you make any suggestions?   With Kind Regards, DS Nancy J. O'Connor, RN, MSN, CRNP,

Treatment for Optic Nerve Glioma
Dear OncoLink "Ask the Experts," My son has optic nerve glioma of his right eye. His doctor suggested that he should get proton beam therapy. Unfortunately it is not available in my country. Please let you know how this problem can be treated.   Thank you in advance. F Eric Shinohara, MD, MSCI Radiation Oncology Section

Treatment for Glioblastoma Multiforme
My friend, aged 38, is suffering from glioblastoma multiforme for the past 2 years. He has undergone surgery, but the cancer in the brain could not be totally removed. Recently, he was diagnosed as having fluid accumulation in the brain and had another operation to remove the fluid. X-ray could not find the tumor anymore. The doctor has

Inspirational articles from patients and survivors.

Essay From Dr. Carl Friedlander, A Brain Cancer Survivor
This document is an attempt on my part to provide people with my view of the history of my past almost four and a half years. During this period I have been dealing with brain cancer and a collection of related drug induced side...

Tribute to Gene Siskel
We would like to pay tribute to Gene Siskel, journalist, film critic, family man and true "Friend of OncoLink". Mr. Siskel died February 20, 1999 from apparent complications of a brain tumor. The Editors of OncoLink met Mr. Siskel on April...

Information about treatment options for brain tumors.

Hyperfractionated concomitant boost proton radiotherapy for supratentorial glioblastoma multiforme

Podcast from Opportunities in Proton Therapy: Chordoma/Chondrosarcoma
Subscribe to OncoLink Podcasts You may also use Quicktime to view the individual presentation: Chordoma/Chondrosarcoma Norbert J. Liebsch, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center,...

Podcast from Opportunities in Proton Therapy: Craniopharyngioma
Subscribe to OncoLink Podcasts You may also use Quicktime to view the individual presentation: Craniopharyngioma Claire Alapetite, M.D, Ph.D., Institut Curie, Radiation Oncology Department, Paris, and Institut Curie Centre de...

News stories related to brain tumors, their diagnosis and treatment.

Compound Localizes Recurrent Brain Tumor During Surgery
Feb 21, 2013 - A fluorescent compound can help localize the spread of recurrent glioblastoma multiforme during surgery, according to a case report published online Feb. 20 in the Journal of Neurosurgery.

Corticorelin Acetate Has Steroid-Sparing Effect in Brain Cancer
Feb 8, 2013 - Corticorelin acetate administration to patients with peritumoral brain edema allows the reduction of steroid doses and is associated with reduced incidence and severity of steroid-induced myopathy and other steroid-related adverse effects, according to research published online Feb. 4 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Smaller Radiation Fields OK for Glioblastoma Treatment
Jan 21, 2013 - For patients receiving radiotherapy for glioblastoma, use of clinical target volume margins as small as 5 mm does not lead to an increase in marginal failures, according to a study published online Dec. 1 in the American Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Reports from professional meetings about brain tumors, their diagnosis and treatment.

Concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ) and radiotherapy (RT) for newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).  Conclusive results of a radomized phase III trial by the EORTC Brain & RT Groups and NCIC Clinical Trials Group.
Presenter: R. StuppPresenter's Affiliation: University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, SwitzerlandType of Session: PlenaryBackground Glioblastoma multiforme is the most malignant and most common primary brain tumor, with a dismal median overall survival of less than one year. Radiation treatment has long been the standard of care in treating GBM.

Phase III Trial of BCNU Plus Cisplatin (CDDP) Versus BCNU Alone, and Standard Radiation Therapy (SRT) Versus Accelerated Radiation Therapy (ART) in Glioblastoma (GBM) Patients: NCCTG/SWOG Results
Presenter: J.C. Buckner Affiliation: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN Background: The adjuvant treatment for GBM is radiation therapy plus or minus BCNU. With this therapy, the median survival is about 10 months and the 5- year overall survival is about 1%. With such poor outcomes, new therapeutic approaches are needed. This study was designed

A Multicenter, Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo (PB) Controlled Trial of Marimastat (MT) In Patients with Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) or Gliosarcoma (GS) Following Completion of Conventional, First-Line Treatment
Presenter: S. Phuphanich Affiliation: The Marimastat Glioblastoma Study Group Background: The standard adjuvant therapy for GBM is radiation therapy with or without BCNU. The outcomes of therapy for GBM or GS are poor. There is clearly a need for novel treatment approaches. This study looks a Marimastat administration as an attempt to

NCI CANCERLIT^® Search: Diagnosis-Histopathology-Pathogenesis of Brain Tumor - October 2001
Neuronal and mixed neuronal glial tumors associated to epilepsy. A heterogeneous and related group of tumours. Cerebral ganglioglioma with epilepsy: neuroimaging features and treatment. Transcranial sonography of brain tumors in the adult:...

NCI CANCERLIT^® Search: Diagnosis-Histopathology-Pathogenesis of Brain Tumor - September 2001
Table of ContentsThe c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase3 (JNK3) gene: genomic structure, chromosomal assignment, and loss of expression in brain tumors.Occupational risk factors for brain cancer: a population-based case-control study in Iowa.How could...

NCI CANCERLIT^® Search: Therapy of Brain Tumor - October 2001
Temozolomide for malignant brain tumours. Effects of temozolomide in malignant brain tumours. [Postoperative mutism in children with the posterior fossa tumors] The effects of intravenous fentanyl and lidocaine infiltration on the hemodynamic...