Glioblastoma Multiforme is the most aggressive and malignant form of brain cancer, with an average survival of less than 12 months. Glioblastomas (GBM) are tumors that arise from the supportive tissues of the brain. These supportive tissues are composed of astrocytes, star-shaped glial cells that play a very important role in neural functioning. Glioblastomas are highly malignant because astrocytes reproduce quickly and are supported by a large network of blood vessels. Although they are generally found in the cerebral hemispheres of the brain, glioblastomas can be found anywhere in the brain or spinal cord. The tumors come from normal brain cells, so it is easy for them to invade and live within normal brain tissue. However, glioblastoma rarely spreads elsewhere in the body. (1) The most common symptoms for GBM are headache, nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness, all caused by increased pressure in the brain. (1) The current strategy for the treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme is generally palliative treatment, including standard chemotherapy and surgical resection, and radiotherapy. GBM often exhibits a high resistance to both chemotherapy and radiotherapy. (2) Astrocytes are star-shaped glial cells in the brain and spinal cord. They are the most abundant cell of the human brain. Astrocytes provide neurons with metabolic support, control local blood flow, and regulate the maintenance of synapses. They are a critical part of normal neural functioning. (3) The first stage of treatment for glioblastoma is surgery. After surgery, an average GBM tumor is generally reduced 99%. It is used to take a section for a diagnosis, to diminish some of the symptoms of a large mass pressing against the brain, to remove disease before secondary... ... middle of paper ... ... in glioma cells (suppression of autophagy, mentioned above, is often accompanied by activiation of apoptosis). Silencing eEF-2 kinase expression with the inhibitors (NH125) remarkably increased the TMZ-activated apoptosis in human glioma cells. One other important discovery of this experiment was that the combination of TMZ and NH125 did not cause TMZ to destroy normal human astrocytes. Essentially, co-treatment of TMZ with NH125 made TMZ more effective against glioma and produced a better survival benefit for the mice, but could not cure the mice. This may be because the amount of NH125 (eEF-2 inhibitor) used was not enough, or the dosages of TMZ and NH125 were not optimal. Nonetheless, development of better and more effective inhibitors of eEF-2 kinase may help in finding the cure for glioblastoma multiforme, the malignant and extremely aggressive brain tumor.
After seeing his physician, he told him that he had some of the common symptoms of a brain tumor. Brain tumors have a variety of symptoms ranging from headache to stroke. Seizures may be the initial manifestation of a brain tumor, and eventually as many as 30% of patients with brain tumors will develop seizures. Gradual loss of movement or sensation in an arm or leg may occur. Unsteadiness or imbalance, and double vision may occur, especially if it is associated with headache.
The brain is an organ that regulates body functions, behaviors, and emotions. Neurons are the cells that fulfill these functions. How do neurons do this? A neuron plays an important role in the central nervous system. Why? Because neurons regulate how we think, feel, and control our body functions. A typical neuron has three parts: cell body, axon, and dendrites. When a neuron receives an electrical impulse, that impulse travels
Popular beliefs and opinions of the masses in society often become societal norms. Challenges to these societal norms can cause large-scale societal shifts or transitions. Examples of such occurrences include woman’s suffrage, the occupy movement, and falsified racial stereotyping. However, popular opinions, influenced by media, corporations, and members of the community, are sometimes flawed. “Welcome to Cancerland,” written by Barbara Ehrenreich, and “Beautiful Brains,” written by David Dobbs share a similar purpose of debunking common myths and stereotypes of specific social groups. Ehrenreich’s essay states that corporations and community members are popularizing the celebration of the “breast cancer sisterhood,” while stemming the drive
Astrocytes- “star shaped”, wraps around the presynaptic terminal of functionally related axons, supports the blood brain barrier, provides nutrients, and repairs scar tissue
Glioblastoma Multiforme (GMB) is the most common form of primary malignant brain tumor in adults. With the current standard therapy, median survival time hovers just over 12 months. This incurable disease is devastating with a median survival time of 6-8 months from time of recurrence (J10). The current standard of therapy at first diagnosis consists of surgery followed by radiotherapy with concommittant and adjuvant chemotherapy using the agent temozolamide (TMZ) (Multiple sources). In 2003, the United States Food and Drug administration approved the Gliadel Wafer (GW) for treatment of newly diagnosed GBM (C3). The monoclonal antibody Bevacizumab (BEV) was first used to treat recurrent GBM in 2005 and has a significant survival benefit for patients with grade IV glioma (E5). Many more promising avenues for new treatment have been and are currently being studied. Such areas include the use of antiepileptic drugs, using Convection-Enhanced Delivery of chemotherapeutic agents, and targeting specific molecular markers and pathways such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT), and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.
According to the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States (CBTRUS), the incidence rate of all primary malignant and non-malignant brain and central nervous system tumors (CNS) for 2005 to 2009 was 20.6 cases per 100,00 (7.3 per 100,000 for malignant tumors and 13.3 per 100,000 for non-malignant tumors) (Fig. 1) [1].
According to The Mayo Clinic, “the most common symptoms of a concussion are headache or pressure in the head, confusion or feeling foggy, appearing dazed, fatigue and delayed response to questions.”
...areas, and creation of gitter cells (Gehrmann et al., 1995). Moreover, considering the importance of microglial, without microglial cells, the CNS will not survive (mortality) from external environment substance and pathogens. Thirdly, microglial cells are also responsible for homeostasis, negative and positive feedback loop, in CNS (Aloisi, 2001). Microglia is known for achieving complex communication via triggering signals molecules with other astrocytes, neural tissues, T lymphocytes and hematopoietic stem cells (Aloisi, 2001).
Osteosarcoma, characterized as a neoplasm that produces osteoid, is a highly malignant tumor that develops predominantly in the metaphysis of the long bones, often in the distal femur and proximal tibia. More rare osteosarcomas may develop in the soft tissue. Although the malignancy usually arises in the medullary cavity of the metaphysis of a growing tubular long bone, less frequent growth patterns can develop on the surface on the bone. Surface osteosarcomas, as well as being significantly rarer, are also of a low grade, where else medullary osteosarcomas are of an aggressive nature, making it high grade. Osteosarcomas may also be confined to the cortex, and can even originate in an extraskeletal site.
Neurons and glia (cells that support neurons) are specialized cells for electrical signaling over long distances. Understanding neuronal structure is important for understanding neuronal function.
I was a child when my aunt got sick, and my fascination about the field of medicine began. She had brain cancer. While I watched the disease progress I was flooded, not only with sadness and grief, but with questions. With two psychologists for parents I had a lot of support and understanding of my feelings, but I was left curious about the medical aspect of the disease and why there was no cure. The notion that the brain could change someone’s entire personality and physical function was amazing to me. Spending a lot of time in hospitals, I observed so much about the impact of a cancer diagnosis on patients and their families, and about what happens to people through the disease process. I noticed the enormous influence that the medical professional’s
According to SEER Statistics, 23,380 people are estimated to get a brain or nervous system cancer diagnosis. Out of those people, 14,320 people are estimated to die from their brain or nervous system cancer diagnosis (National Cancer Institute). Cancer is a type of dangerous tumor, or a buildup of extra cells that form a mass of tissue, that can be life threatening (National Cancer Institute). The term for a tumor that is cancerous is a malignat tumor, whereas a benign tumor does not contain cancer cells (National Cancer Institute). According to the National Cancer Institute, the causes of brain cancer are unknown, but risk factors include family history and excessive radiaton exposure. Although they are not always due to a brain tumor, comon symptoms include headaches, nausea, speech, hearing, vision, and mood changes, problems with balance and mamories, seizures, and numbness in arms and legs (National Cancer Institute). MRI and CT scans as well as surgical biposies (or the removal of part of the tumor to be examined) are used to diagnose brain cancer (National Cancer Institute). Different types of treatment options include radiation therapy, surgery to remove the tumor, and chemotherapy. According to Charles Davis, MD, PhD and Nitin Tandon, MD of WebMD.com, chemotherapy is “ the use of powerful drugs to kill tumor cells”. There are a few different types of chemotherapy, but all of which bring out the same kinds of side effects. Although the physical side effects of chemotherapy are commonly known, few people know of the emotional toll chemotherapy can take on a patient and his or her family as they go though this process.
The brain consists of both neurons and glia cells. The neurons, which are cells housed in a cell body called a Soma, have branches which extend from them, referred to as dendrites. From these dendrites extend axons which send and receive impulses, ending at junction points called synapses. It is at these synapse points that the transfer of information takes place.
The neuron plays an important role in the occupation of the brain (Rollin Koscis). A neuron is...