Glioma Research Paper

Glioblastoma is the most common and aggressive form of malignant brain cancer in adults. On average, 8 of every 100,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with glioblastoma every year – representing approximately 2% of all cancers diagnosed [1]. Glioblastoma tumors form when astrocytes, star-shaped cells which support and protect the brain, re-enter the cell cycle and start to rapidly divide. Because the brain is supported by a large network of blood vessels, tumors grow quickly and are difficult to remove surgically. Present treatments for glioblastoma are limited to surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy; however, despite these interventions tumors are likely to regrow. Consequently, typical survival time following glioblastoma diagnosis is less than 2 years.

Glioma is a tumor that is a type of brain cancer. Glioma tumors are made up by cells called glial cells. Glial cells normally provide nutrition, oxygen, and structural support to the brain. Three types of glial cells can produce tumors. Gliomas are named after the type of glial cell that is involved in the tumor. A tumor is formed when the glial cells grow into an abnormal mass of tissue. Gliomas are one of the most common types of brain tumors that occur in adults.

DIPG is an acronym for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (Green 1). Diffuse meaning a tumor not well contained. The tumor grows out into other tissue so that the cancer cells mix with healthy cells. For this reason it is impossible to surgically remove DIPG tumors without damaging other healthy tissues this is what makes DIPG so hard to treat. Intrinsic means situated within or belonging solely to the organ or body part on which it acts. Used of certain nerves and muscles. Pontine describes where the DIPG tumor is located in the brain. Glioma is a general term for tumors originating in glial cells. Glial cells are found throughout the brain. They make up the white

Glioblastoma (pronounced like gleO blastoma) is an incurable brain cancer,Survival rate is usually measured in months.This became a word that was instantly defined, researched, dissected, feared, and tried to comprehend and understand by family,friends and acquaintances of Larry McKee (McKee)who was personally affected from this single word, it was quickly added to their vocabulary, because of the of the events that transpired on October 22, 2011 that forever changed lives “Glioblastomas are tumors that arise from the astrocytes- the star-shaped cells that make up the “glue-like,” or supportive tissue of the brain. These tumors are usually highly malignant (cancerous) because the cells reproduce quickly and they are supported by a large network of blood vessels.”(A.B.T A..) He was diagnosed with stage four.

Glioblastoma Multiforme is a highly malignant, fast growing cancer that affects the surrounding brain tissue. Brittany Maynard was 29 years old when she died, on November 1, 2014. Maynard was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme on January 1,2014. After many tests, the doctors told her she had six months to live. She then moved from California to Oregon for that state’s Death With Dignity Act. The right-to-die law should be in every state because a person should have the right to make the decision to end his or her’s own life.

Differentiation between glioma grading has been one of the most challenging areas to the neuroradiologist.

Primary brain tumors are classified by the type of cell or tissue the tumor affects, and the location and grade of the tumor. Tumor cells may travel short distances within the brain, but generally won't travel outside of the brain itself.

Tumors can be classified into three types: 1) benign 2) pre malignant 3) malignant tumor. Benign tumors are those which are incapable of abrupt expanding and affecting the other healthy brain tissues. Premalignant tumor is a pre cancerous stage, if not treated properly it may lead to cancers. It is often considered as a disease. Malignant tumor grows rapidly with time an ultimately leads to death of patient. Malignant is a medical term describing a sever growth of a disease. The most common primary brain Tumors are gliomas, wherein 70% are in the group of malignant gliomas, glioblastoma multiform (GBM).The GBM is one of the highest malignant human

Malignant gliomas are the most common type of primary malignant brain tumor, and glioblastoma accounts for 82% of cases of malignant glioma. Glioblastomas arise from glial precursor cells and are characterized histologically by considerable cellularity, mitotic activity, vascular proliferation, and necrosis. They are highly invasive, infiltrating surrounding brain tissues, yet they are typically confined to the central nervous system and do not metastasize.1 From a molecular standpoint, malignant glioblastomas are heterogeneous tumors, and genome studies have demonstrated four transcriptional subclasses. These four classes display features of distinct cell types: classical, mesenchymal, proneural, and neural.1 Patients with glioblastoma experience a wide variety of complications from both the disease and drug therapies. Current standard therapies for glioblastoma are maximal safe surgical resection followed by temozolomide and radiotherapy. With these therapies the median patient survival is less than 2 years due to common tumor recurrence.2 However, new therapies such as targeted vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors, carmustine wafers, and gene therapies are promising in prolonging survival and delaying progression of the disease.

If a patient chooses to go a community based treatment route, the NCI, or National Cancer Institute, is an option they may consider. The NCI has 69 Cancer Centers that spread among 35 states. These centers include several university medical centers as well as freestanding cancer centers. The main roles of these centers are focusing on studying and controlling cancer. (National Cancer Institute [NCI], 2015)

Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer. Cancer is when cells grow out of control, join together, and form a tumor. Neuroblastoma tumors start in cells in the nerves. The cancer can then spread to other parts of the body. Most often, tumors are found in the abdomen, the glands that make hormones, and on top of the kidneys (adrenal glands).

The brain is made up of millions upon millions of cells. These cells are formed from before birth, up until about 7 years old. Once these brain cells stop dividing, they are never meant to divide again. You can see that the division of brain cells is under strict regulation and control. When this control is lost in a single cell, then it starts dividing in an uncontrolled manner. All of the data obtained through research on cancer shows that this disease is caused by a rapidly dividing cell, with no regulators to stop it from dividing. As the cell makes more and more copies of itself, it grows to form a tumor. This is known as cancer.

A range of imaging techniques like MRI scan, CT scan, X-ray, Ultrasound, bone scans or PET scans can be used for the diagnosis of neuroblastoma, however, most importantly it is done using MIBG scan. A chemical called MIBG with radioactive iodine is injected into a vein. As it moves through the body, images are taken with a special camera.

Cancer is the uncontrolled and invasive growth of cells; mostly all cancers cells lead to the formation of a mass of cells known as a tumor. Brain cancer is where this uncontrolled growth of cells, malignant cells, emerges in the tissues of the brain. Brain cancer is one of the many cancers where tumors arise. There are two different kinds of these cancerous brain tumors: primary and secondary brain tumors. Primary brain tumors develop directly in the brain, while secondary, or metastatic, brain tumors spread to the brain from other areas of the body. Around 20-40% of all other cancers, like breast and lung cancer, later develop brain metastases. Brain cancer is sadly one of the most prevalent cancers found in kids and adolescents, ages

On average, 40 Australian children are diagnosed with Neuroblastoma every year in Australia, between the ages of one and five. There is a major risk of every 1 in 100’000 children contracting this cancer between the ages of one to five. It is very uncommon to see Neuroblastoma found in a child over 10 years old (Neuroblastoma Australia 2016).