Senator Ted Kennedy's Death from Brain Cancer Sheds Light on Detection and Diagnosis of Br...( Information on war...),Health

Information on warning signs and how brain cancer is diagnosed

NORTHFIELD, Ill., Aug. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by the College of American Pathologists:

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081119/CAPLOGO )

WHAT: It is expected that more than 22,000 Americans will be diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in 2009. Senator Ted Kennedy's death from a brain cancer draws attention to a rare, but often fatal type disease. While the risk of developing brain cancer is relatively low, it is important to heed the warning signs and receive an accurate diagnosis.

Pathologists are doctors who examine tissues, cells, and body fluids to diagnose cancer, including malignant brain tumors, in order to assist in making treatment decisions. A biopsy of the tumor will be examined under a microscope by a surgical pathologist or in many cases, a neuropathologist, to determine the type of tumor and assign a grade.

When a pathologist examines the tissue of the biopsy, two questions are asked:

• What type of brain cell did the tumor arise from?
• Do the tumor cells show signs of rapid growth?
  

The answers to these questions will help to determine the patient's treatment.

WHO: Matthew A. Zarka, MD, FCAP, from Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., can offer the pathologist's perspective.

WHY: Dr. Zarka is available to explain warning signs, how the pathologist makes the diagnosis and how, together with the primary care physician, the next steps are determined. He can also share information about a free website, www.MyBiopsy.org, which provides information on glioblastoma, the type of brain tumor
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