Authors'Opinions

This section of our web site attempts to explain the latest brain tumor treatments that are in general use in plain English, with a brief overview of each, then details on the treatments and where to find them. Unlike the rest of the "Clinical Trials & Noteworthy Treatments For Brain Tumors" site, this section is only the authors' OPINIONS of the material. Use it for general information, to get ideas of what is available out there, but then discuss it with your own doctors.

If you disagree with anything said, have anything to add, or want to help write a topic, please let us know.

1. Biomarker Testing for Brain Cancer! (Added 2/2/2024)
   
   
2. Highlights From SNO 2023! The Society Of Neuro-Oncology annual meeting is the big event of the year for brain cancer research. Here Vanessa discussed some of the most important research that was presented! (Added 12/5/23)
   
   
3. Advanced MRI imaging New techniques that allow for better differentiation between tumor growth and pseudo-progression as well as early indication of response (or not) to treatment. You can request that your doctor order "Fractional Tumor Burden" (FTB) maps the next time you need a scan. They should be done at every scan as you compare them to each other and can see earlier signs of response or recurrence. Any MRI scanner can do it but they need to contact Imaging Biometrics to get the software needed to make the maps. (Added 4/3/22)
   
   
4. New Expanded Access Program for MAPK-Pathway Altered Cancers Look at your pathology report. If it says you have alterations in any of these markers, look into this program: KRAS, NRAS, HRAS, BRAF, MEK, and/or ERK. (Added 12/6/2020)
   
   
5. NCCN Guidelines This is the new version of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for the treatment of brain tumors. This is considered the "standard of care". You have to create a free account to access them! (Added 5/22/23)
   
   
6. Glioblastoma Bill Of Rights From our friends at "Our Brain Bank" (Added 12/10/2020)
   
   
7. Long term followup on original Optune clinical trial an astounding 20% survival at 15 years (in a small trial). Added 11/23/2020
   
   
8. Evolution of radiotherapies for brain tumors - the story of GammaTile Therapy. Added 10/26/2020
   
   
9. Metastatic Brain Tumors - Michael Schulder, MD Added 7/31/2020
   
   
10. Highlights From ASCO 2020 (discuss them in our forum!) Added 5/30/2020
    
    
    1. Al Musella's ASCO Highlights Part 1
       
       
    2. Al Musella's ASCO Highlights Part 2
       
       
    3. Patrick Wen's Highlights
       
       
    4. ASCO 2020: Abstract Recommendations From Dr. Roger Stupp for Brain Cancer
       
       
11. Al Musella's thoughts on what he would do if he had a newly diagnosed gbm. https://virtualtrials.org/newsarticle.cfm?item=6333
    
    
12. Treatment Options for Glioblastomas AND The Role of Supplements (including Anti-Oxidants) in Cancer Treatment By Ben Williams, Ph.D. (Experimental Psychology) ** Updated Aug 2017 READ THIS FIRST!
    
    
13. ONC-201 - an oral experimental treatment in clinical trials
    
    
14. Articles by Stephen Western
    
    
15. Bevacizumab (Avastin) updated: 04/19/2020
    
    
16. Cancer and Evolution updated: 04/19/2020
    
    
17. Currently Recruiting Clinical Trials - Glioblastoma updated: 04/19/2020
    
    
18. Currently Recruiting Clinical Trials - High Grade Glioma updated: 04/19/2020
    
    
19. Currently Recruiting Clinical Trials - Low Grade Glioma updated: 01/24/2021
    
    
20. Dasatinib (Sprycel) updated: 04/19/2020
    
    
21. DCVax (and other dendritic cell vaccines) updated: 04/19/2020
    
    
22. Diet updated: 04/19/2020
    
    
23. Glossary of brain tumor terms updated: 04/19/2020
    
    
24. Immunotherapy updated: 04/19/2020
    
    
25. NovoTTF (Electric Field Therapy) updated: 04/19/2020
    
    
26. PCV chemotherapy updated: 04/19/2020
    
    
27. Photodynamic Therapy updated: 04/19/2020
    
    
28. Re-educating the Immune System updated: 04/19/2020
    
    
29. Repurposed Drugs updated: 04/19/2020
    
    
30. SNO 2014 Highlights updated: 04/21/2019
    
    
31. SNO 2016 Clinical Highlights updated: 04/19/2020
    
    
32. Supplements updated: 04/19/2020
    
    
33. Targeting Glioma Stem Cells updated: 04/21/2019
    
    
34. Targeting Tumor Associated Macrophages/Microglia updated: 04/19/2020
    
    
35. Targeting Tumor Invasion updated: 04/19/2020
    
    
36. Targeting Tumor Metabolism updated: 04/19/2020
    
    
37. Temozolomide (Temodar) updated: 04/19/2020
    
    
38. The Blood-Brain Barrier updated: 04/19/2020
    
    
39. Toca 511 And Toca FC updated: 04/19/2020
    
    
40. Trial Results - Anaplastic Glioma updated: 04/19/2020
    
    
41. Trial Results - Anaplastic Glioma - Recurrent updated: 04/19/2020
    
    
42. Trial Results - Glioblastoma updated: 04/19/2020
    
    
43. Trial Results - Glioblastoma - Recurrent updated: 04/21/2019
    
    
44. Trial Results - Oligodendroglioma And Oligoastrocytoma updated: 04/19/2020
    
    
45. Virotherapy updated: 04/19/2020
    
    
    
    
46. Gliadel Overview updated: 04/19/2020
    
    
47. Leading Edge Radiosurgery (12/2016) Among the best reported results!
    
    
48. Three-dimensional Exoscope for Brain Tumor Surgery
    
    
49. Introduction to Radiosurgery (added 2/24/18)
    
    
50. Transcript of the FDA meeting for the approval of the Novo TTF 100A device (Optune). (This is a huge file - may take time to open)
    
    
51. What is CED (Convection Enhanced Delivery)? This is a new form of CED that can be used long term.(added 10/28/2010)
    
    
52. Article on the possible link between viruses - like CMV - and brain tumors
    
    
53. Avastin
    
    
54. CPT-11 and Avastin for malignant glioma. - early report on a promising new combinaton therapy!
    
    
55. Avastin and CPT-11, Etoposide or Carboplatin Amazing early results. This one is a must read. Look at the results in the table for those who used Avastin + CPT-11
    
56. Human Corticotropin-Releasing Factor (hCRF) (Xerecept) in Peritumoral Brain Edema - a possible replacement for Decadron!
    By Lisa U. Carr, MD, PhD
    
    
57. Medulloblastomas
    
    
58. Atypical Teratoid Rhabdod Rumor (AT/RT).
    
    
59. Neuroblate System - Laser surgery
    
    
60. Vaccine Therapies for Brain Tumors
    
    
61. Proton Beam Radiation (this is a .pdf file and requires the free pdf reader)
    
    
62. Abstracts from ASCO 2007 (Reported by Hong Lan) Old but interesting!
    
    
63. Email Communication for Patients with a life-threatening illness - one way of dealing with keeping the family "in the loop"!


64. Update to Social Security Disability Rules
    
    
65. Brain Metastases - an overview (last updated 2/18/18)
    
    
66. The Anti-angiogenic basis of metronomic chemotherapy. (added 7/29/2004) - Doesn't specifically mention brain tumors, but there are trials of this approach going on now with brain tumors.This paper (which is on the technical side) explains the rationale for this approach.
    
    
67. Future options of anti-angiogenic cancer therapy
    
    
68. Boron Neutron Capture Therapy:
    
    
69. Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) of Brain Tumors. (Note - this is also on the technical side and is a large file.) Added 8/24/2004
    
    
70. Introduction to the special edition of the Journal of Neuro-Oncology on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy(BNCT). (Note - this is on the technical side - but points to a lot of information on this treatment.)
    
71. Brain Tumor Guide - Newly diagnosed people should start here first to get an overview of everything before exploring the rest of this website!
    
    
72. Brain Tumor Symptoms: Overview | Detailed
    
    
73. 'Leading Edge' Gamma Knife radiosurgery for primarymalignant brain tumors.- this is a new way of using the gamma knife.. this paper is in a pdf. See instructions above if you have a problem loading the paper.
    
    
74. Immunotherapy for brain tumors. 2 papers by Dr. Roberta Hayes
    
    
75. Temodar® (Temozolomide) For Brain Tumors:
    
76. General Information
    
    
77. Review
    By Andrew Parker
    
    
78. Recent papers and abstracts on Temodar
    
79. Medulloblastoma
    
    
80. What is a Karnofsky Score?
    
    
81. High Dose Tamoxifen For Brain Tumors:
    
82. Review
    By Andrew Parker (Updated 6/8/2004)
    
    
83. Reprint of Research Paper
    By William Couldwell, MD, PhD.
    Neurosurgeon
    NY Medical College, Valhalla, NY
84. Brain Tumor Virtual Trial Abstract about our study!
    
    
85. Seizures: What to do if you are having a seizure!
    
    
86. CPT-11
    By Virginia V. Jory, Ph.D.
    
    
87. PCV
    By Danita Acquafredda And George Hunter
    
    
88. BCNU
    
    
89. What Are Clinical Trials
    By Terri Armstrong, RN, MS, NP, CS
    Neuro-Oncology Nurse Practitioner
    Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
    
    
90. Childhood Hydrocephalus: Clinical Features, Treatment, and the Slit-Ventricle Syndrome Explanation of the use of shunts, by Dr. Arno Fried.
    
    
91. 50 Questions to help communicate with people who can't talk. By Jim Kenzig
    
    
92. Thoughts on Alternative Treatments
    Guest editorial by Dr. Robert Fink
    Click HERE for a list of FAQs and articles about brain tumors by Dr. Fink.

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    Disclaimer: The material provided here is controversial and is only the opinion of the person noted as author of a topic. It is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice or instruction.
    Consult your health care professional for advice relating to a medical problem or condition.