Study blames two genes for aggressive brain cancer

[dipsydoodle]

Scientists have discovered two genes that appear responsible for one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer.

Glioblastoma multiforme rapidly invades the normal brain, producing inoperable tumours, but scientists have not understood why it is so aggressive.

The latest study, by a Columbia University team, published in Nature, pinpoints two genes.

The researchers say that the findings raise hopes of developing a treatment for the cancer.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8426015.stm

[Myrina]

1. Now if inexpensive genetic screening was available ...

.. that would be a seriously awesome step. My maternal grandmother, a great aunt and mom all died from Glio Grade 3's.

Would be nice to know in advance if that gene combo was floating around in my system (or any of my 3 sisters') ...

[dipsydoodle]

2. My wife

died from a grade 4 29th Jan.'90 when she was 45.:(

[Myrina]

3. I am sorry to hear that, Dipsydoodle ...

... having someone you love go thru that is a life-changing experience, I think.
I was 18.

How to deal with feeling helpless and watching someone you love slip away, knowing all you can do is care for them, even though (at least in my mom's case) toward the end they are very much like an Alzheimer's patient and don't recognize their life ... it is the most difficult kind of letting go.

My mom was 57. From what I've heard, my grandma was in her early 50's when she passed (it was in the 1950's so there was literally nothing they could do) too.

I hope some day science can vanquish that monster.

:hug: