(July 14, 2009 - Insidermedicine) In patients with brain tumors, multiple genetic mutations can work together to promote the growth of the cancer, according to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Here is some information on malignant glioma:

•    It is a type of cancerous brain tumor

•    They can be either slow or fast growing

•    Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy

Researchers from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine conducted a complex genetic and clinical analysis of over 500 patients suffering from malignant gliomas.

Patients with gliomas were more likely to have a consistent pattern of genetic mutations involving regions on 10 different chromosomes. The authors identified 7 genes that are most actively involved in the growth of these tumors and used them to develop a risk model. Patients with the most mutations in these genes had a more than 60% increased risk of dying than those with the fewest mutations.

Today's research may be used to help predict patient outcomes and provide potential new genetic targets for treatment of brain tumors.

For Insidermedicine in Depth, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.