FRIDAY, Aug. 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- Some adult survivors of childhood cancer go on to develop brain tumors, and now researchers say they've found a gene mutation that seems to increase that risk. <\/p>\n
The researchers said their findings could lead to ways to prevent these brain tumors. <\/p>\n
Adults who had radiation to their head and spine to treat childhood cancer have a greater risk of meningiomas. These tumors, which are often benign, are the most common type of brain tumor in adults, according to the American Brain Tumor Association. <\/p>\n
In this study, Canadian researchers looked at 31 radiation-induced meningiomas in patients who underwent head and spine radiation during childhood. Most of them (74 percent) had survived either leukemia or pediatric brain cancer. <\/p>\n
These brain tumors were compared with 30 meningiomas among people in the general population. <\/p>\n
Gelareh Zadeh, the study's co-principal investigator, said that radiation-induced meningiomas appear to be the same as those that just occur sporadically. They look the same on MRI scans and under a microscope. And, they feel the same during surgery, Zadeh said. <\/p>\n
\"What's different is [that radiation-induced tumors] are more aggressive, tend to recur in multiples and invade the brain, causing significant morbidity and limitations (or impairments) for individuals who survive following childhood radiation,\" Zadeh said. <\/p>\n
Zadeh is a brain tumor researcher and associate professor in the neurology division at the University of Toronto. <\/p>\n
Ken Aldape is a co-principal investigator on the study. He said the research team found a specific rearrangement involving the NF2 gene in radiation-induced meningiomas. He said there are likely other genetic rearrangements caused by radiation-induced DNA damage. <\/p>\n
\"So one of the next steps is to identify what the radiation is doing to the DNA of the meninges,\" Aldape said in a University Health Network news release. Aldape is a professor of laboratory medicine and pathobiology at the University of Toronto. <\/p>\n
Figuring out which group of childhood cancer patients have the highest risk of these radiation-induced tumors is critical. These patients could be followed closely for early detection and management, Aldape explained. <\/p>\n
The study was published online Aug. 4 in the journal Nature Communications. <\/p>\n
The American Brain Tumor Association has more on meningiomas. <\/p>\n
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\nChildhood Cancer Radiation May Cause Unwanted Gene Mutation in Some - Sioux City Journal<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"