Glossary

• Adjuvant

  Treatment given after the initial treatment.

• Blood Brain Barrier

  A group of tightly woven blood vessels surrounding the brain that acts as a defense mechanism by not allowing harmful substances to cross into the brain

• Central Nervous System tumors (CNS)

  An abnormal growth of tissue in the brain and spinal cord that form in the tissue of the brain or spinal cord.

• Compassionate Use

  Treatment that may be available for an additional group of patients to receive a drug or treatment who do not qualify for an open clinical trial.

• Concurrent Therapy

  More than one form of therapy given at the same time.

• CT (Computerized Tomography) Scan

  This is a non-invasive medical imaging technique used in radiology to obtain detailed images of the body.

• Genetic Testing

  Test that determines changes in your DNA such as mutations or other variants.

• Hydrocephalus

  The buildup of fluid within the ventricles of the brain that causes increased pressure.

• Leptomeningeal

  When cancer cells spread to your cerebral spinal fluid or meninges.

• Liquid Biopsy

  It is a form of genetic testing obtained from blood or spinal fluid. Liquid biopsies do not replace a tumor biopsy.

• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Image)

  Medical imaging technique used in radiology that uses magnetic and radio waves to make an image of your body’s tissues and/or organs.

• Multi-agent

  Combines two or more chemotherapy medications given at the same time.

• Mutation

  A change in one or more genes.

• Necrosis

  Cell injury that results in the premature death of the cells in an organ or tissue due to disease, injury, or failure of the blood supply.

• Neo-adjuvant

  Administered medication or treatment used as the first step to shrink a tumor before the main treatment.

• Pons

  Part of your brainstem that controls critical functions such as breathing, heartbeat, sensation, motor function and more.

• Progressive Disease

  A worsening, growth, or spread of the disease and can happen any time after initial diagnosis or treatment.

• Pseudoprogression

  Is the appearance of a new or enlarged area of tumor growth due to radiation effect. However, this may not be true tumor growth and can decrease or stabilize without a change in therapy.

• Standard of Care (SOC)

  Standard of care is a medical treatment guideline that specifies appropriate treatment based on scientific evidence in any given treatment or condition.

• Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt (VP Shunt)

  A medical device that relieves pressure on the brain by removing excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the brain’s ventricles.

• Ventriculostomy

  A neurosurgical procedure that creates an opening within a ventricle in your brain to drain cerebrospinal fluid, especially in hydrocephalus.