Brain and spinal cord tumors are abnormal growths of tissue found inside the skull or the bony spinal column, which are the primary components of the central nervous system (CNS). Benign tumors are noncancerous, and malignant tumors are cancerous. The CNS is housed within rigid, bony quarters (i.e., the skull and spinal column), so any abnormal growth, whether benign or malignant, can place pressure on sensitive tissues and impair function. Tumors that originate in the brain or spinal cord are called primary tumors. Most primary tumors are caused by out-of-control growth among cells that surround and support neurons. In a small number of individuals, primary tumors may result from specific genetic disease (e.g., neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis) or from exposure to radiation or cancer-causing chemicals. The cause of most primary tumors remains a mystery. They are not contagious and, at this time, not preventable. Symptoms of brain tumors include headaches, seizures, nausea and vomiting, vision or hearing problems, behavioral and cognitive problems, motor problems, and balance problems. Spinal cord tumor symptoms include pain, sensory changes, and motor problems. The first test to diagnose brain and spinal column tumors is a neurological examination. Special imaging techniques (computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography) are also employed. Laboratory tests include the EEG and the spinal tap. A biopsy, a surgical procedure in which a sample of tissue is taken from a suspected tumor, helps doctors diagnose the type of tumor. The three most commonly used treatments are surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Doctors also may prescribe steroids to reduce the swelling inside the CNS. Symptoms of brain and spinal cord tumors generally develop slowly and worsen over time unless they are treated. The tumor may be classified as benign or malignant and given a numbered score that reflects how malignant it is. This score can help doctors determine how to treat the tumor and predict the likely outcome, or prognosis, for the patient. Scientists continue to investigate ways to better understand, diagnose, and treat CNS tumors.  Experimental treatment options may include new drugs,  gene therapy, surgery , radiation, biologic immuno-agents that enhance the body's overall immune system to recognize and fight cancer cells, and a combination of therapies.  Of particular interest to scientists is the development of tailored therapeutics--involving a combination of targeted agents that use different molecules to reduce tumor gene activity and suppress uncontrolled growth by killing or reducing the production of tumor cells--to treat tumors based on their genetic makeup.  Researchers continue to search for additional clinical biomarkers (molecules or other substances in the blood or tissue that can be used to diagnose or monitor a particular disorder) of CNS tumors.  Other researchers are testing different drugs and molecules to see if they can modulate the normal activity of the blood-brain barrier and better target  tumor cells and associated blood vessels.  Also under investigation are ways to help the body respond to improved drug delivery or other cancer treatments. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?CMD=search&term=(brain+neoplasms[majr]+OR+spinal+cord+neoplasms[majr])+AND+human[mh]+AND+english[la]+AND+(review[ptyp]+OR+review+literature[mh]+OR+practice+guideline[ptyp]+OR+guideline[ptyp]+OR+clinical+trials[mh]+OR+clinical+trial[ptyp]+OR+consumerj[sb])&db=PubMed&orig_db=PubMed&filters=on&pmfilter_EDatLimit=1+Years http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/braincancer.html 2 http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term= /disorders/brainandspinaltumors/pubs_brainandspinaltumors.htm /disorders/brainandspinaltumors/xml_brainandspinaltumors.xml xml_brainandspinaltumors.xml Spinal Cord Tumors V639 National Cancer Institute (NCI)

National Institutes of Health, DHHS

6116 Executive Boulevard, Ste. 3036A, MSC 8322 Bethesda MD 20892-8322 cancergovstaff@mail.nih.gov http://cancer.gov 800-4-CANCER (422-6237) 800-332-8615 (TTY) V45 American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA)

8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.

Suite 550 Chicago IL 60631 ABTAcares@abta.org http://www.abta.org 773-577-8750 800-886-2282 847-827-9918 Funds researchers working toward breakthroughs in brain tumor diagnosis, treatment and care, and is a national organization providing comprehensive resources and serving the complex supportive care needs of brain tumor patients and caregivers from diagnosis through treatment and beyond. V290 Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation

20312 Watkins Meadow Drive

Germantown MD 20876 cbtf@childhoodbraintumor.org http://www.childhoodbraintumor.org 877-217-4166 301-515-2900 Non-profit organization that raises funds for scientific and clinical research to improve both prognosis and quality of life for those affected by pediatric brain tumors. Works to heighten public awareness and provides information and resources for families and patients. V46 Children's Brain Tumor Foundation

274 Madison Avenue

Suite 1004 New York NY 10016 info@cbtf.org http://www.cbtf.org 212-448-9494 866-CBT-HOPE (228-4673) 212-448-1022 Works to improve the treatment, quality of life, and long-term outlook for children with brain and spinal cord tumors through research, support, education, and advocacy programs. V49 National Brain Tumor Society

East Coast Office 124 Watertown Street

Suite 2D Watertown MA 02472 questions@braintumor.org http://www.braintumor.org 617-924-9997 800-770-8287 617-924-9998 Nonprofit organization committed to finding a cure for brain tumors; its mission is to aggressively drive strategic research, advocate for public policies that meet the critical needs of the brain tumor community, and provide trusted patient information. V732 Musella Foundation for Brain Tumor Research and Information

1100 Peninsula Blvd.

Hewlett NY 11557 musella@virtualtrials.com http://www.virtualtrials.com 516-295-4740 888-295-4740 516-295-2870 Non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life and survival times for brain tumor patients by providing information to patients and their families and raising money for brain tumor research. V719 American Cancer Society

National Home Office

250 Williams Street, NW Atlanta GA 30303-1002 http://www.cancer.org 800-ACS-2345 (227-2345) Nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service. V78 International RadioSurgery Association

2960 Green Street

P.O. Box 5186 Harrisburg PA 17110 irsa@irsa.org http://www.irsa.org 717-260-9808 717-260-9809 Proactive patient organization providing information and referrals on Gamma Knife, Linac, and particle beam radiosurgery for brain tumors, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), and neurological pain and movement disorders. V275 Cushing's Support and Research Foundation

65 East India Row

Suite 22B Boston MA 02110-3389 cushinfo@csrf.net http://csrf.net 617-723-3674 same as phone Provides information and support for Cushing's Disease and Cushing's Syndrome patients and their families and works to increase awareness and educate the public. V584 Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation

302 Ridgefield Court

Asheville NC 28806 info@pbtfus.org http://www.pbtfus.org 828-665-6891 800-253-6530 828-665-6894 The world’s largest non-governmental funder of childhood brain tumor research. Also offers free educational information, Internet conferences, college scholarships, and other support. V50 Pituitary Network Association

P.O. Box 1958

Thousand Oaks CA 91358 info@pituitary.org http://www.pituitary.org 805-499-9973 805-480-0633 International non-profit organization for patients with pituitary disorders, their families, loved ones, and the physicians and health care providers who treat them. V255 Preuss Foundation, Inc. [For Brain Tumor Research]

2223 Avenida de la Playa

Suite 220 La Jolla CA 92037 fari@preuss.org 858-454-0200 858-454-4449 Provides forums for basic brain tumor researchers in an effort to increase communication and collaboration among them. V940 Nevus Outreach, Inc

600 SE Delaware Ave

Suite 200 Bartlesville OK 74 cschoessow@nevus.org http://www.nevus.org 877-426-3887 918-331-0595 281-417-4020 Nevus Outreach is dedicated to: improving awareness and providing support for people affected by congenital pigmented nevi, and finding a cure. V981 Hope for Hypothalamic Hamartomas (Hope for HH)

P. O. Box 721

Waddell AZ 85355 admin@hopeforhh.org http://hopeforhh.org/ Provides information and support to hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers and promotes research toward early detection, improved treatments, living with HH, and a cure.