"IN THE NEWS"
About Brain Tumors"

Newly Discovered Mutation Found in More Brain Tumors
A recent survey of genomic changes in brain tumors found that a gene called IDH1 was mutated in more than 10 percent of the glioblastoma tumors analyzed. The mutations tended to occur in younger patients and were associated with a somewhat longer survival compared with patients who lacked the mutations. Read more»»

Exploring New Pathways To Language
ScienceDaily (Feb. 27, 2009) — When ABC journalist Bob Woodruff was injured while reporting in Iraq in 2006, he suffered severe head injuries that caused him to lose his ability to recall and produce common words — a condition called aphasia. Today, Woodruff has recovered most of his language skills thanks to intensive behavioral therapy — reading and repeating words and sounds. Read more»»

Duke Researchers Advance Cancer Genetics Research
By: William Hyung Issue date: 2/27/09
A recent discovery in genetics may lead to a new understanding of brain tumors and more effective methods of treatment. A team of researchers from the Duke University Medical Center and the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center has shown that specific types of brain tumors are often accompanied by genetic mutations in two metabolic genes. Read more»»

A Lifetime of Paying It Forward
Drs. William and Joan Rankin Shapiro create a lasting legacy at Barrow William Shapiro, MD, and Joan Rankin Shapiro, PhD, have collaborated for 20 years to help build a world-renowned brain tumor research center at Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center. After years of dedicated patient care and research, the Shapiros have established a $1.5 million endowed chair dedicated to neuro-oncology research. Read more»»

Brain Tumors: Meningiomas and Gliomas

Glen H.G. Stevens

Primary brain tumors are tumors that arise from brain tissue itself as compared with metastatic tumors, whereby tumor cells travel to the brain from a distant site.

This chapter will deal specifically with primary brain tumors of adults, using the subcategories of benign tumors—meningiomas, realizing that a small subset can be malignant—and malignant gliomas (oligodendrogliomas and astrocytomas). ...Read more»»

Aspartame: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You
Aspartame is, by far, the most dangerous substance on the market that is added to foods. Aspartame is the technical name for the brand names NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful,and Equal-Measure. ...According to researchers and physicians studying the adverse effects of aspartame, the following chronic illnesses can be triggered or worsened by ingesting of aspartame:(2) Brain tumors, multiple sclerosis,epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, parkinson’s disease, alzheimer’s,mental retardation, lymphoma, birth defects, fibromyalgia, and diabetes. Read more»»

Brain Cancer Treatment
Treatment for brain cancer depends on the age of the patient, the stage of the disease, the type and location of the tumor, and whether the cancer is a primary tumor or brain metastases. The treatment plan is developed by the oncology team and the patient. Treatment involves any combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Some tumors require several different surgical procedures, and some can be treated with radiation alone.   Read more»»

Blood Pressure Compound May Benefit Brain Tumor Patients
ScienceDaily (Feb. 19, 2009) — A widely used blood pressure medication may be the key to preventing brain function loss common after radiation treatment, according to a newly published study by researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. The findings offer the hope of an improved quality of life for cancer patients.    Read more»»

Cancer Treatment Kills Tumors by 'Cooking'
New Laser Approach Attacks Remote Brain Tumors Once Unreachable With Surgery
By JOHN MCKENZIE
CLEVELAND, Feb. 19, 2009
Ruth Perko is one of at least 97,000 Americans diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor each year, according to the National Cancer Institute, and nothing can prepare her for the experimental treatment she's about to receive. When surgery is not possible, a new treatment can zap malignant brain tumors. Perko, like so many patients, has already had surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, but the tumor inside her brain has grown back. So the 51-year-old mother of three will now try something radically different. Doctors will attack the tumor by "cooking" it. Read more»»

Hopkins, Duke researchers link genetic defect to common brain cancers
By Stephanie Desmon | stephanie.desmon@baltsun.com
February 19, 2009
In a discovery that researchers hope could lead to better treatments for intractable brain tumors, scientists from Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center and Duke University Medical Center have found a genetic defect in a large number of common brain cancers and believe it could hold clues to why some people with the disease fare better than others. The findings, published in today's New England Journal of Medicine, ...Read more»»

Newly discovered gene could be a prime target in the most lethal brain cancer
Posted On: February 18, 2009 - 10:30pm
Durham, N.C. - Scientists at Duke University Medical Center and Johns Hopkins University have discovered mutations in two genes that could become therapeutic targets in malignant glioma, a dangerous class of brain tumors. Read more»»

Mutations lead to deadly brain tumors: study
Wed Feb 18, 2009 5:00pm EST
By Gene Emery
BOSTON (Reuters) - Doctors have identified two genetic mutations that control the growth and development of malignant gliomas, a particularly deadly and difficult-to-treat type of brain tumor. Read more»»

Brown Bag For A Cure/Pediatric Brain Tumor Research: Join Me Here
By Kathy
Brown Bag For A Cure is a simple unique idea to raise pediatric brain tumor research. You simply brown bag your lunch and donate what you would have spent on lunch out. You are giving hope to kids with brain tumors and ... Read more»»

Benefit victory not end for vet's widow in Eustis Amy Rippel
Special To The Sentinel
February 17, 2009
EUSTIS - When Jill Wilkins filed a veteran's-death claim in December after her husband -- an Air Force reservist who served in Iraq -- died from a brain tumor, she assumed it would take months to process. Read more»»

Multivitamins show little benefit in reducing disease risk
Los Angeles Times 6:36 PM EST, February 16, 2009

The news about vitamins keeps getting worse. A spate of high-profile studies published in the last few years shows that a variety of popular supplements -- including calcium, selenium and vitamins A, C and E -- don't do anything to reduce the risk of developing heart disease, stroke or a variety of cancers. Read more»»

Estrogen Found to Increase Growth of the Most Common Childhood Brain Tumor CINCINNATI—University of Cincinnati researchers have discovered that estrogen receptors are present in medulloblastoma—the most common type of pediatric brain tumor—leading them to believe that anti-estrogen drug treatments may be beneficial in limiting tumor progression and improving patients’ overall outcome. Read more»»

RIDE FOR KIDS ® REPORT
The 26th season of Ride for Kids® got off to a great start in Pompano Beach, Fla., on Feb. 8, with motorcyclists raising $79,140 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Ride for Kids® gives motorcyclists and children with brain tumors the chance to meet in person. Read more»»

Mobile phones boost brain tumor risk by up to 270 percent on side of brain where phone is held.
Using a cell phone regularly - even a moder one- raise the risk of developing a brian tumor for many users, a new Finnish study published online in the International Journal of Cancer....Read more»»

CD offers 'Hope' to patients
The Tribune-Democrat The Integrative Medicine Advisory Council has purchased 100 copies of folk musician David Bailey’s “Hope – An Anthology” to distribute free to those in the region being treated for brain tumors. IMAC representatives and Dr. Alfred Bowles, chairman of Memorial Medical Center’s Neuroscience Department, will present the CDs to local residents who attend the hospital’s Brain Tumor Support Group. Bailey, of Charlottesville, Va., is a 12-year brain cancer survivor whose lyrics have been described as “(finding) the hope in the impossible.” He is undergoing treatment for a recurrence of his cancer. Read more»»