'Two-tier system' in brain tumoursRSS Feed

Brain tumours in children have a two-tier system, according to new research into the brain injury.

A study published in journal Cancer Cell investigated why while some tumour growth halts after surgery and radiotherapy, in other patients the disease quickly turns severe.

Ependymomas of the cerebellum were found to be classified in two distinct subgroups which differ genetically.

In one group where the tumours took an unfavourable course, they were found to have relative few losses or gains of gene segments but many genes that play a role in key cancer signalling pathways are activated.

Typical characteristics of tumours in the other group are gains of large segments of certain chromosomes.

Researcher Dr Stefan Pfister said: "The genetic differences between these two types are so marked that we have to speak of two different diseases that may even arise from different original cells."

This comes after research published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that children and adolescents who use mobile phones are at no greater risk of brain cancer than those who do not employ the technology.

Written by John Sherrington
 

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