Molecular genetics of brain tumors

Alterations in a brain cell genome, within genes that control cell growth, cell cycle, and cell death, are the basis for the formation of brain tumors. These mutations usually arise spontaneously during cell division or as a result of failure to properly correct DNA damage. External causes may significantly increase the risk for development of a brain tumor; yet this evidence regarding this malignancy remains limited. In this chapter, the identified gene alterations that are implicated in the development of a brain cancer are reviewed. However, further research is of significant importance to acquire a complete picture of the various gene mutation patterns for each cancer.