Cancer treatment has been boosted by the findings of a recent study, which has discovered that variations present in five genes can raise an individual's risk of developing a brain tumour.
Scientists made the discovery as a result of a joint project between the University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Center and the UK's Institute of Cancer Research.
Although still at an early stage, the researcher's findings are expected to identify those individuals at a heightened risk of developing brain tumours.
Co-senior author Dr Melissa Bondy, professor in M D Anderson's Department of Epidemiology, commented: "This is a ground-breaking study because it's the first time we've had a large enough sample to understand the genetic risk factors related to glioma, which opens the door to understanding a possible cause of these brain tumours."
A glioma is a type of cancer that originates from the glial cells and forms on the spine or in the brain.
