Monday, 3 February 2014

A Mutation Discovery Linked To Brain Tumors

By Robert Sutter


Brain tumors can come about because of a number of reasons, if you were to speak to one person after another. However, the truth of the matter is that none of them have solid proof, meaning that it's difficult to pinpoint what the exact cause might be. Can a mutated gene come into play, though, for the sake of bringing greater attention to the tumors in question? After looking over a report on the matter, it seems like this element holds much in the way of importance.

According to a report on Science Daily, it seems as though a mutated gene in the body can cause the development of a benign brain tumor that has its share of effects in the long term. On the surface, this is unfortunate news and while the news in question may not be totally positive, there is still a level of potential that can be realized. For example, is it possible that drugs already put to use for tumor types can be applied here? It seems to be that way.

Of course, what are the details surrounding this mutated gene, you may wonder? Given the name BRAF, it has been seen in almost all of the samples of tumors named papillary craniopharyngiomas. Specifically, these are the ones which target adults; the ones that are more common in children are growths known as adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas. In terms of research, though, there are drugs which can enter the brains and inhibit them. I believe that this can add to the narrow list of methods that exist to cure tumors.

The serious of craniopharyngiomas did not come to my attention until I read this report. For one, the idea of one gene coming into play in order for these tumors to come about is interesting, especially when considering that medical specialists would consider that multiple mutations resulted in this type of progression. What does this mean in terms of further studies of brain tumors, you may wonder? Organizations the likes of Voices against Brain Cancer can tell you that this can amount to more focused studies.

When it comes to studies seen in the scientific field, the simplest ones have the chance of yielding some of the best results. I do not think that anyone can argue with such a sentiment but is it one that can be easily linked to cancer in general? With so many different details to consider when looking at one tumor to another, it's hard to pinpoint what can be done to help. Mutated genes can come into play and it is here that focus will seemingly be the most concentrated.




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