There's much we still don't know about brain cancer, and there's also misinformation about this uncommon disease. Here are just the facts about brain tumors.
- An estimated 23,720 Americans were diagnosed with malignant primary brain tumors in 2010. These brain tumors are called glioma.
- Approximately 13,000 people in the United States die each year from glioma.
- There are many types of gliomas, usually named after the kind of cell from which they grow: astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma, ependymomas, and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are different types of glioma.
- Gliomas occur more frequently in Caucasian individuals than people of other races, and glioblastoma multiforme is more common in men than women
- Few known risk factors make individuals more likely to develop brain tumors. Some of the identified risks include neurofibromatosis (type 1 and 2), Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Turcot's syndrome, and ionizing radiation to the head.
- Gliomas may run in families. Approximately 5 to 10% of gliomas may be related to inherited gene mutations. First degree relatives (siblings, parents, children) of glioma patients have about twice the risk of developing glioma.
Our partner organizations and other patient advocacy groups have information for people living with, treating, or recovering from glioma.
- Baylor College of Medicine
Learn more about brain cancer research and treatment here at Baylor College of Medicine, one of nation's top-ranked hospitals.
- Rady Children's Health
Rady Children's Health in San Diego has partnered with Gliogene to help pursue the genetic contribution of brain tumors.
- American Brain Tumor Association
The American Brain Tumor Association is the nation’s oldest nonprofit organization dedicated to brain tumor education, support, and research.
- National Brain Tumor Society
The NBTS seeks to aggressively influence and fund multifaceted research into brain tumors, as well as advocate for public policy changes, in order to achieve the greatest impact, results, and progress for brain tumor patients.