There are a great many resources for individuals who have been diagnosed with a brain tumor, and for their loved ones. When I was first invited to participate in UnlockingBrainTumors, my understanding of the topic, which I still consider to be in its infancy, was immediately expedited by the extensive online literature. The goal of this article is to provide the layperson or newly-diagnosed patient with a quick guide to some of these resources. It goes without saying that this guide will be incomplete, so we'll update this at a later date. Because of the ambitious mission, and indeed their success, of so many organizations to provide comprehensive support services to the brain tumor community, it is difficult to really categorize groups in a simple manner. But we'll try to help you navigate these excellent resources. Links to these sites can be found at UnlockingBrainTumors Beneficiaries section.

SUPPORT, COMMUNITY AND RESOURCE LINKAGE

The International Brain Tumor Association, The American Brain Tumor Foundation, and the National Brain Tumor Foundation are but a few of the comprehensive community organizations that are offering a wealthy of information, advocacy and support. Expansive in their goals, these organizations are a meeting point for patients, doctors and others, sharing important information on brain tumors, the latest research, conferences and events that are taking place, and much more. Visit IBTA's site and you'll find dozens of links to other community resources and sites, from large international groups to smaller foundations started in a loved one's memory. It would be impossible to fully describe the array of support and information that you can access here.

RESEARCH AND RESEARCH FUNDING

The National Cancer Institute is the primary site for the U.S. National Institutes of Health's principal cancer research agency. It provides a wealth of information on all cancers, and its area on brain tumors has in-depth technical discussions, statistics, and literature on clinical trials and therapies. Sites such as VirtualTrials monitors the progress and outcomes of clinical trials, with a staggering database of outcomes. As if this weren't enough, VirtualTrials, operated by The Musella Foundation, provides an extensive library of literature and video materials for patients and their families, as well as administering online support groups and bulletin boards where you can interact with others and find like-situated patients or families. The Tug McGraw Foundation is dedicated to raising funds for brain tumor research and awareness; it also links to a nice section for caregivers, recognizing the special challenge that families, friends and other caregivers will face, and its resource linkage area identifies yet more resources that you will find helpful. We also recommend you read Surviving Terminal Cancer: Clinical Trials, Drug Cocktails, and Other Treatments Your Oncologist Won't Tell You About by Ben A Williams.

We are privileged to have some of the world's leading university-based research and treatment centers in the U.S., and these institutions are on the leading edge of cancer research; they are also among the most sought-after in terms of diagnosis and treatment options. Our list of recommended resources includes, but is not limited to, Duke University Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCLA), the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas, the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

PEDIATRIC SUPPORT

Special support to our youngest survivors is available through several notable organizations, including I'm Too Young For This, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and the Brain Tumor Foundation for Children. Like anyone trying to interact with younger patients and adults, these sites get it - their sites are friendly, informative, easy to use and speak to their audience. I'm Too Young For This is especially noteworthy for its message of optimism and efforts to end the isolation of patients; it also offers sign-up for a blog and newsletter, but its links to Get Help Now! and Get Involved Now! are truly impressive. We also recommend the inspirational Force a Miracle by Darryl C. Didier, with a Foreward by Mike Ditka.

Mike Tancredi works with http://www.unlockingbraintumors.org a non profit organization dedicated to raising and distributing funds for the continued research into brain tumors.

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Sadly, cancer affects many people and families each year. The pain and suffering this disease inflicts is immeasurable. Brain cancer is one of the worst types of cancer because if often is not found until late in the cycle.

If a person has symptoms, such as severe headaches or seizures, there are many ways to test for this disease. First a doctor will perform a physical and neurological exam. These exams test a person’s alertness, general physical wellness, coordination, muscle strength, and other physical attributes. After the physical and neurological exams, the doctor can order a CT scan to look for tumors in the brain. A CT scan is an x-ray of the brain. It can be used to find other diseases that affect the brain in addition to cancer.

Beyond a CT scan, there are several other ways to look for brain tumors, such as MRI technology, angiograms, skull x-rays, spinal taps, and different types of biopsies. MRIs use powerful magnets to take detailed images of any body part and can see if there is a tumor in the brain. An angiogram is a test where they inject dye into a specific area of the body. When this dye is injected into the brain, it makes the tissue more visible to doctors during an x-ray.

In a spinal tap test, the doctor removes a small sample of the patient’s cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid, which fills your brain and spine, is than tested by a laboratory for cancerous cells and other signs of brain cancer.

If suspicious cells are found, a biopsy may be performed. A biopsy is when doctors remove tissue to test for malignant cells. Several methods exist for performing a biopsy. One type of biopsy is called a needle biopsy. During this procedure, the doctor drills a very small hole through the top of the scalp at the location of the brain tumor. This hole penetrates the skull and is called a burr hole. After the hole is drilled, the doctor will remove a sample of the tissue from the tumor and send it off to be tested.

Sometimes doctors take a sample of a tumor to test for cancer while they are removing the tumor from the brain. A biopsy is one of the most effective ways to find out if a tumor is cancerous, but it is not available in every situation. If the tumor is located on the brain stem, or other dangerous areas of the brain, a biopsy cannot be performed.

Brain cancer is one of deadliest forms of cancer. One reason for the high mortality rate is the location of the cancer. Many treatments will not work on cancer located in the brain. In addition, annual preventative tests are not run on your brain to check for diseases. For that reason, most cases of brain cancer are not discovered until the symptoms begin. Unfortunately, that can be too late in a lot of cases.

Frank j Vanderlugt owns and operates http://www.cancer-cure-now.com Conventional Theories Of Cancer Development

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