A brain tumor refers to an abnormal growth of cells in the brain that multiplies in an uncontrollable manner, which is often treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Such growths can start in any part of the brain or near the brain, which can later form into a tumor, and they can be either cancerous or non-cancerous.
A physician and brain tumor researcher, Dr. Matt Clarke, from Keele University in Britain, has found better outcomes for babies diagnosed with the condition and says the condition can be treated.
According to Dr. Matthew Clarke, his work at the Institute for Cancer Research showed that a specific group of tumors in infants under 1 year old were treatable with existing drugs.
He said doctors no longer need to rely on chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which can cause permanent damage to infants because their immune systems are relatively weak.
Dr. Clarke, from Keele University in Staffordshire, said high-grade gliomas can occur in patients of any age with a life expectancy of 2 years after diagnosis.
From the latest research by Dr. Clarke, published in the World Health Organization’s ‘Classification of Brain Tumors’ chapter, found that a specific subgroup occurring in infants under one year of age was treatable with existing medications.
Dr. Clarke appreciates this remarkable achievement as a groundbreaking discovery in modern science and said: “There is still a lot of work to be done in this area.”
“To be able to identify a group of tumors that previously unfortunately had a terminal prognosis, and now provide us with a treatment that can actually make a difference and ensure these children can survive, is a huge step forward,” said Clarke.
Dr. Appreciating the efforts of this huge joint effort, Clarke said: “We are already taking steps in the right direction, and hopefully we can continue to build on that in the years to come.”
