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About
Background:
Primary tumors of the brain and spine are those that start in the brain or spine. These tumors are rare, accounting for <2% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States. Some of these tumors occur in less than 2,000 people per year. Researchers want to study a large group of people with this kind of tumor. They want to learn more about the tumors, including the risk factors related to how they develop in adults.
Objective: To collect health and gene data to learn about what changes are associated with a rare CNS Tumors, to eventually screen for these changes or target the genes in treatment.
Eligibility: Adult participants >= 18 years of age who self- identify as being diagnosed with one of 12 rare CNS tumors, including: Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT); Brainstem and midline gliomas; Choroid plexus tumors; Ependymoma; High grade meningioma; Gliomatosis cerebri; Medulloblastoma; Oligodendroglioma / Anaplastic oligodendroglioma; Pineal region tumors; Pleomorphic xanthroastrocytoma / Anaplastic pleomorphic xanthroastrocytoma; PNET (Supratentorial embryonal tumor); Primary CNS sarcoma / Secondary CNS sarcoma (Gliosarcoma).
Design:
Participants will be invited to participate through an ad on the CERN Foundation website (ependymoma), information on the Neuro-Oncology Branch website and other identified advocacy and social media sites and direct mailer to those who have already participated in the EO projects. (Registered Trademark)
Full description
Background:
Rare cancers are defined as those with <40,000 cases per year. There are over 130 separate types of primary CNS tumors, all of which meet the definition of a rare cancer. However, some CNS cancers have incidences of less than 1,000 cases per year. Because of its relative rarity, limited reports of the presentation and clinical course have been completed. With the support of the CERN-Foundation, the Adult Ependymoma Outcomes Projects (AEO) was launched to address this lack of information for one type of rare CNS tumor- ependymoma. Using an online platform, participants and families from across the world have participated, providing information that has helped elucidate the presentation and ongoing health of individuals with this disease. To date, over 300 adults have participated with over 95% reporting interest in continuing and expanding their participation. Results from the AEO baseline survey and a follow-up survey (AEOII addressing socioeconomic impact of the disease) have been published. The most recent data from the AEO has been presented at the Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO) annual meetings in 2015 and 2016.
An additional consequence of the relative rarity of these CNS tumors, studies to evaluate risk factors for the occurrence of these rare CNS tumors or predicting the clinical course of these rare CNS tumors are also limited. Rare CNS tumors like other cancers, occur when there are changes to genes that control the way cells grow and divide often as a result of exposure to other environmental risk factors. Therefore, exploring genetic changes in persons with rare CNS tumors will allow us to begin to understand what changes are associated specifically with these tumors. To date, these participants are often included as part of larger cohorts which include other types of brain tumors. We now understand that even among gliomas, the risk factors differ. Therefore, identifying the risk factors specifically associated with rare CNS tumors is critical for primary prevention and early detection. This knowledge would allow scientists and physicians to eventually screen for these changes or target the genes or the processes they control for treatment purposes.
Objectives:
The primary objectives of this study are to:
Eligibility:
The adult rare CNS tumor population for this study are participants >= 18 years of age who self- identify as being diagnosed with one of 12 rare CNS tumors, including:
Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT)
Brainstem and midline gliomas
Choroid plexus tumors
Ependymoma
High grade meningioma
Gliomatosis cerebri
Medulloblastoma
Oligodendroglioma / Anaplastic oligodendroglioma
Pineal region Tumors
Pleomorphic xanthroastrocytoma / Anaplastic pleomorphic xanthroastrocytoma
PNET (Supratentorial embryonal tumor)
Primary CNS sarcoma / Secondary CNS sarcoma (Gliosarcoma)
Design:
Enrollment
Sex
Ages
Volunteers
Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Participants with rare CNS tumors who meet the following criteria will be invited to participate in the study:
EXCLUSION CRITERIA: See inclusion criteria
326 participants in 1 patient group
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Data sourced from clinicaltrials.gov
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