Establishment of a Brain and Spinal Tumor Tissue Bank

Establishment of a Brain and Spinal Tumor Tissue Bank and Clinical Data Repository for Identifying Molecular Markers of Clinical Outcome

The purpose of this study is to establish a Brain and Spinal Tumor Tissue/Specimen repository to serve as a resource for current and future scientific studies.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and lethal primary Brain and Spinal Tumor in adults. It is nearly uniformly fatal, with a median survival of approximately one year, despite modern treatment modalities. Efforts to understand why some patients live longer or shorter than the average may provide insights into the biology of these neoplasms. For years, researchers have tried to identify independent predictors that could help in treatment planning. With the recent interest in molecular biology and molecular genetics, tumor markers are now being examined as potential predictors. A marker that could predict tumor response to therapy, the likelihood of recurrence, and survival would thus be quite useful.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients must have a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of Brain and Spinal Tumor
• Age greater than 20
• Signed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known HIV infection
• Any other clinical condition which, in the opinion of the principal investigator, would not allow completion of this study