Mathematical model provides groundbreaking approach to predicting life expectancy among patients with malignant brain tumors

“University of Washington researchers have discovered a way to more accurately predict life expectancy in patients newly diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme, the most aggressive form of primary brain tumors — and the type that took the life of Senator Ted Kennedy earlier this year.

This type of tumor accounts for 70% of malignant brain tumors diagnosed in the U.S. each year, and patients on average live only 12 to 18 months following diagnosis.

Researchers in the lab of Dr. Kristin Swanson, UW associate professor of pathology, have found the combination of biomathematical modeling and routinely available pre-treatment magnetic resonance images (MRI) allows physicians — for the first time — to quantify and visualize patient-specific tumor growth patterns and dynamics. The results are published in the Dec. 1, 2009 issue of Cancer Research.”

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