Can watery eyes be a sign of cancer?
The Deadliest Kind Of Brain Cancer May Have A Promising New Treatment
Glioblastoma is the most common and deadliest form of brain cancer. Patients face a bleak prognosis – the average survival after diagnosis is between 12 and 15 months. And just 6.9% of patients survive beyond five years, making it one of the most poorly survived cancers.
The toll this cancer takes goes beyond survival rates. Patients can suffer from symptoms like headaches, seizures, cognitive and personality changes, and neurological impairments. These symptoms may drastically affect their quality of life. But despite the urgent need, no targeted treatments exist for this devastating disease.
Researchers now believe that immunotherapy, which harnesses the immune system to target cancer cells, could be a turning point in the treatment of glioblastoma.
Glioblastoma is a naturally occurring tumour that belongs to a group of brain tumours called "gliomas" that originate and grow in the brain and spinal cord. Classified as a grade 4 tumour by the World Health Organization, glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer.
An estimated 3,200 new cases of glioblastoma are diagnosed each year in the UK, making up a significant portion of the 12,700 total brain and central nervous system tumours reported annually. Globally, there are approximately 3.2 to 4.2 cases per 100,000 people annually. This translates to around 150,000 new cases each year worldwide.
Standard treatments for glioblastoma – like surgery, radiation and chemotherapy – are often only temporarily effective. The tumours are highly resistant to these treatments due to the cancer's ability to suppress immune responses and the presence of the blood-brain barrier, which restricts most drugs from reaching the brain.
After surgery, the tumour often returns and can spread to other parts of the brain. This leads to further challenges for patients and doctors alike.
The field of immunotherapy is evolving rapidly, with ongoing research expanding its potential applications across various diseases. Approved immunotherapy treatments are currently available for various cancers, like melanoma, breast and lung cancers.
Immunotherapy can also be used to treat autoimmune conditions like multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, infectious disease like HIV and hepatitis B and C, and in allergic disease.
For the treatment of glioblastoma, immunotherapy represents a promising, though complex, avenue. Due to the tumour's highly adaptive nature, glioblastoma presents different mutations in different regions of the brain. This makes it difficult to target. Even so, researchers are optimistic.
Recent trials have shown that immunotherapy can safely be delivered through injections into the cerebrospinal fluid. Scientists are now exploring how to adapt these methods to penetrate the tumour more effectively.
Despite the promise of immunotherapy, making it effective for glioblastoma remains a challenge. Funding shortages have hampered brain cancer research in the past. But new initiatives are helping to recruit researchers from other fields to tackle glioblastoma. This includes researchers like me.
For 20 years, I have studied how the immune system can be manipulated and modulated during cancer and chronic infection. More recently, I have studied how immune cells communicate and interfere with brain function which results in the onset of Alzheimer's.
I am now applying that knowledge and experience to glioblastoma, where I'm investigating how to bypass the barriers that prevent treatment from reaching the tumours. My work is part of a global effort to develop and trial immunotherapy treatments specifically for glioblastoma.
Surgery is currently the first stage of glioblastoma treatment. (Ars Neurochirurgica/Wikimedia/CC 4.0)While glioblastoma remains a complex and challenging disease to treat, immunotherapy offers a potential pathway to better outcomes for patients. But to date, there are no approved clinically available immunotherapies to improve the lives of patients with glioblastoma.
It's also important to note that not all cancers respond to immunotherapy. And there may be immune-related side effects, such as organ inflammation. Careful consideration must be given to ensure that any treatment doesn't result in swelling of the brain.
The delivery method of these drugs is also vital. Treating a patient with a simple injection into the arm and into the blood, or through the spinal cord, is better than having to perform surgery on the brain, for example. These considerations are a vital part of research.
The prospects for immunotherapy use in glioblastoma remain exciting, though. As interest and investment grow in the potential of immunotherapy, my fellow researchers and I remain hopeful that we may soon uncover more effective treatments for this terrible disease.
Mathew Clement, Research Fellow at the School of Medicine, Cardiff University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Heartache As Young Irish Dad Dies In Dubai After 'extremely Aggressive' Brain Tumour Diagnosis
AN Irish family has been left "devastated" after the death of their father, who has been hailed as a "loving family man" in a sweet tribute.
Caoimin Keeshan sadly passed away in Dubai after being diagnosed with an extremely aggressive brain tumour earlier this year.
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Loving dad Caoimin leaves behind three childrenCredit: GoFundMeFollowing the diagnosis, the dad-of-three underwent a "gruelling" seven hour brain surgery which removed 80 per cent of the tumour.
He also had radiation treatment and chemotherapy.
His friends and family set up a GoFundMe to cover medical expenses for Caoimin.
The target was set at €150,000 and has so far reached a huge €120,250.
Caoimin was moved to palliative care in October, after he was no longer able to receive treatment.
In an old update, GoFundMe organiser Aidan Connolly told how the family had faced a "tough" few days after recieving the news that Caoimin could no longer be treated.
He said: "Caoimin unfortunately is no longer able to receive treatment and has been moved to palliative care for a peaceful and caring ending to his young life with his family and friends by his side.
"Thank you for your continued support."
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Brain Tumour facts- 10 things you should know about brain tumoursAidan said: "We are devastated to share that Caoimin passed away on 3rd November 2024.
"As you know, Caoimin has been bravely battling a brain tumour since the summer, he encountered complications with his treatment, and on Sunday that battle came to an end.
"Caoimin was surrounded by his family and passed peacefully.
"The family want to take a moment to express their heartfelt gratitude for your generous contributions and support during this difficult time.
"Your kindness means the world to them, and we appreciate every single donation and message of support.
"Thank you for standing with them during this challenging time.
"Caoimin will be repatriated in the coming days ahead of a funeral in Ireland. Funeral details to follow."
Caoimin leaves behind his three children Katie, Daithi, and Caoimhe, and a loving wife.
The original GoFundMe post reads: "In the summer of 2024 Caoimin was diagnosed with an extremely aggressive, grade four malignant brain tumour.
"Caoimin has already undergone a gruelling seven-hour brain surgery which successfully removed 80 per cent of the tumour and he is now undergoing six weeks of radiation which will be followed by six months of chemotherapy.
"Caoimin is a loving husband and a wonderful father to Katie, Daithi and Caoimhe.
"Anyone who has ever had the pleasure of meeting Caoimin knows that he is a true gentleman, a dedicated family man and an avid supporter of all things Irish.
"Due to circumstances beyond the family's control, they must privately fund all his treatment.
"We would like to raise funds that will help to offset this enormous financial burden.
"If you can help with a donation and by sharing this via social media, it would be greatly appreciated by Caoimin and his family."
Understanding Brain Tumors: Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors And Treatment
Every year, International Brain Tumour Awareness Week is observed from October 26 to November 2 to raise awareness about the form of tumour. Mumbai health experts share the causes, effects and highlight why it is important to not ignore the signs
Image for representational purpose only. Photo Courtesy: istock
Like every year, International Brain Tumour Awareness Week is being observed from October 26 to November 2, 2024. This initiative was started by the International Brain Tumour Alliance (IBTA) in 2005. Any form of malignant tumour is dangerous and can't be ignored. It is no different for brain tumours. According to the Asian Heart Institute, Brain Tumour Foundation of India, and other research papers, the number of people affected by brain tumours in India is estimated to be between 40,000 and 50,000 annually. This number includes both adults and children. Recognising the widespread lack of awareness about brain tumours among the general public, midday.Com reached out to Dr Kaustubh Mahajan, Consultant Neurologist, SL Raheja Hospital, Mumbai and Dr. Ravikiran Vutha Consultant Neurosurgery, Apollo Hospital Navi Mumbai to shed some light on brain tumours. What are the causes of brain tumours?Vutha: The causes of brain tumours are complex and often elusive, as they can stem from a variety of factors, some of which remain unidentified. Clinically, genetic mutations are a primary cause, where the DNA within brain cells undergoes abnormal changes, leading cells to grow uncontrollably and form a tumour. Some individuals may inherit genetic conditions like neurofibromatosis, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, or Von Hippel-Lindau disease, which increase their risk for brain tumours. Additionally, prolonged exposure to ionising radiation, often from medical treatments like radiotherapy, is linked to a higher risk. For many, the cause remains unknown, making it challenging to implement preventive measures. The lack of clarity on the causes can be emotionally taxing for patients and families, as it leaves them grappling with "why" this happened, underscoring the importance of psychological support in treatment. Mahajan: There's no definite cause for any particular brain tumour. But usually, we divide them into genetic causes and environmental causes. But most of the tumours, we don't find the cause, in that some environmental causes are mainly related to radiation exposure, like x-ray radiation, atomic radiation, and the one that can be coming from phones or network towers. Are there different types of brain tumours?Vutha: Yes, brain tumours are varied and classified into two main categories: primary and secondary. Primary brain tumours originate within the brain itself and include both benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) forms. Some common primary types are:â— Gliomas: Including astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, and glioblastomas, these arise from glial cells and are often aggressive.â— Meningiomas: Typically benign, these tumours arise from the meninges, the layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord.â— Medulloblastomas: More common in children, these malignant tumours form in the cerebellum and can spread through the cerebrospinal fluid.Secondary (metastatic) brain tumours originate elsewhere in the body, such as the lungs or breasts, and spread to the brain. This classification informs treatment plans, as benign tumours may only need observation or limited surgery, while malignant tumours often require a multi-faceted approach involving surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Each type has unique characteristics and impacts, affecting patients' daily lives in different ways, from cognitive functions to mobility.
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