World Brain Tumour Day: Researchers are continually discovering new mutations and mechanisms involved in brain tumour development. Advances in genomic technology, such as next-generation sequencing, have accelerated these discoveries, allowing for a detailed exploration of tumour genomes. New Delhi: Brain tumours can be cancerous or non-cancerous.
They are the second most common cancer in children under 14 (after leukaemia) and the most common cancer in teenagers aged 15 to 19. In adults over 40i, brain tumours are the sixth most common type of cancer. These tumours form when genetic changes cause cells to grow uncontrollably.
Some genetic changes are inherited from family, while others happen during a person’s life. Only 5%-10% of brain tumours occur in people with a family history of themii. In an interaction with News9Live, Dr Sunil Furtado, HOD – Senior Consultant – Department of Neurosurgery and Spine, Ramaiah Institute of Neurosciences, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, Bengaluru, explained how genetics affect brain tumour risk.
“Brain tumours can develop due to changes in the DNA of brain cells. These changes are mutations inherited from parents or occur during a person’s life. Inherited mutations can increase the risk of brain tumours and are linked to certain diseases like Neurofibromatosis type 1 and 2, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, and Turcot syndrome.
Mutations can also arise spontaneously and can be triggered by environmental factors like radiation or toxins. These mu.
