Research updates
New brain tumor research and news, in plain language. The marks on each item show how far along the evidence is. More marks mean it has been tested more.
112 item(s). Early-stage animal and lab research is hidden. Tick the box above to include it.
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- Lab cells
- Animals
- Review
- Tested in people
A robot guide helped surgeons take brain tumor samples safely
At one UK hospital, a robot arm helped surgeons take brain tumor samples, and every sample gave doctors an answer.
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Testing plixorafenib in people whose cancer has a BRAF gene change
This trial is testing a drug called plixorafenib in people whose cancer has a change in a gene called BRAF.
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- Lab cells
- Animals
- Review
- Tested in people
Hobbies and free-time activities may help thinking after brain tumor surgery
People who had been more active in their free time did better on thinking tests after brain tumor surgery.
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- Lab cells
- Animals
- Review
- Tested in people
Gene changes in blood cells linked to higher cancer risk
A common gene change in blood cells was tied to a higher risk of several cancers, including brain cancer.
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- Lab cells
- Animals
- Review
- Tested in people
Dizziness that looked like an inner ear problem came from the brain
In 6 people, dizziness that seemed to be a common inner ear problem turned out to start in the brain, and a brain MRI found the real cause.
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- Lab cells
- Animals
- Review
- Tested in people
A robot used for brain biopsies gave doctors a clear answer in most cases
Doctors looked back at 496 brain biopsies done with a robot, and most gave a clear answer with few problems.
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- Lab cells
- Animals
- Review
- Tested in people
Deaths soon after brain tumor surgery did not go up during the pandemic
In a large look at U.S. hospital records, the share of people who died within 30 days of brain tumor surgery stayed low during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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- Lab cells
- Animals
- Review
- Tested in people
A review of the brain's waste clearing system in brain tumors and head injury
Researchers looked back at past studies and found that brain tumors seem to slow down the brain's built in system for washing out waste.
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A study following people with brain tumors treated with STaRT (GammaTiles)
This study collects information on how people with brain tumors do after treatment with STaRT, also called GammaTiles.
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- Lab cells
- Animals
- Review
- Tested in people
A new way to map movement pathways during brain tumor surgery
Surgeons tried a computer method to better find the brain's movement pathway while removing a tumor.
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- Lab cells
- Animals
- Review
- Tested in people
Preventing a serious lung infection in people with brain tumors
Some brain tumor treatments raise the risk of a rare lung infection, and doctors can give a common antibiotic to help prevent it.
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Testing 3D-Printed Mouth Guards to Shield Healthy Mouth Tissue in Children Having Brain Cancer Radiation
This trial is testing whether a custom 3D-printed guard worn in the mouth can protect healthy mouth tissue during radiation for brain cancer.
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- Lab cells
- Animals
- Review
- Tested in people
A new way to clean up noisy brain scans that track sugar use
Researchers built a computer method that makes a special brain scan clearer, so it is easier to see how the brain uses sugar over time.
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Testing Whether Gene Testing of Tumor Tissue or Blood Helps Guide Treatment Choices
This trial looks at whether detailed gene testing of a tumor sample or a blood sample helps doctors pick the next treatment.
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A personal video about symptoms to ease anxiety during brain tumor radiation
This trial is testing whether a video made for your own scan and symptoms can lower worry during radiation.
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- Lab cells
- Animals
- Review
- Tested in people
Do Patients Need Seizure Medicine After Brain Tumor Surgery?
Giving seizure medicine to everyone after brain tumor surgery does not seem to prevent seizures.
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- Lab cells
- Animals
- Review
- Tested in people
Blood test results before brain tumor surgery may help predict bleeding afterward
Routine blood tests taken before brain tumor surgery may help doctors spot who is more likely to bleed in the brain after the operation.
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- Lab cells
- Animals
- Review
- Tested in people
A common blood test result was linked to death risk after brain tumor surgery
In a large records review, people with a lower platelet to white blood cell ratio before brain tumor surgery were more likely to die within 30 days after it.
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- Lab cells
- Animals
- Review
- Tested in people
A newer way to read tumor DNA may help doctors identify brain tumors
Doctors are testing a newer DNA reading tool that may give a clearer picture of what a brain tumor is made of, but it is not ready for everyday care yet.
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- Lab cells
- Animals
- Review
- Tested in people
Patients share how they want to be asked about donating tumor tissue
A survey asked 50 people with a brain or spinal tumor how it felt to be asked to donate tissue for research.