Stereotactic biopsy of brainstem lesions: Techniques, efficacy, safety, and disease variation between adults and children: A single institutional series and review. This reinforces the idea that biopsy of brainstem tumors is not as dangerous as we used to think. It is becoming more common and as this study reveals, can have a major impact in outcome. Almost 10% of the time, it turned out to be a TB infection instead of brain tumor(this is India - I would assume a much lower rate here in the USA). On the other hand, it shows that studies of brainstem tumors done without a biopsy have to be interpreted carefully - as you are never quite sure that it was a tumor to begin with - and if it is a tumor, which grade
A phase 2 trial of verubulin for recurrent glioblastoma: a prospective study by the brain tumor investigational consortium (BTIC). Unfortunately, this treatment - by itself - did not help much. The treatment sound interesting. Perhaps if combined with other treatments it would have a larger impact. Another take away from this study is the low bar - they were trying for 1 month progression free survival (for the group who failed Avastin) . I never heard of using that before. And only 20% of the pateints achieved 1 month progression free survival. Points to the need for more research.
UCLA 14th Annual Brain Tumor Conference This is a free conference for patients, doctors and caregivers. They offer a free 15 minute consultation with a brain tumor doctor. Some of my favorite brain tumor doctors are speaking. It will be worth going!
(The Musella Foundation is not involved in it - just passing along the announcement!)
