Genetic Aspects of Childhood Brain Tumors

Abstract

It has long been held that neoplasia is a consequence of chromosomal alterations. However, it has only been in the past 10 to 15 years that techniques for demonstrating these alternations have been developed and become generally available. Application of techniques of molecular genetics to chromosomal abnormalities accompanying or possibly responsible for brain tumors in childhood has lagged behind similar studies in adults. In fact, the first report of such investigations appeared a scant 5 years ago.¹