Medulloblastoma is a malignant (cancerous) tumor of the central nervous system. It most often starts in the cerebellum, the part of the brain involved in balance and coordination. It is diagnosed and treated in neuro-oncology and pediatric oncology settings, and sometimes in adult brain tumor programs. The term *Medulloblastoma* is used to describe a specific tumor type that guides testing, staging, and treatment planning.
Meningioma is a tumor that starts in the meninges, the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. It is usually described in neuro-oncology, neurosurgery, and radiation oncology settings. Many meningiomas grow slowly, but some behave more aggressively. The term is commonly used in imaging reports, pathology results, and treatment planning discussions.
Oligodendroglioma is a type of primary brain tumor that arises from glial cells in the central nervous system. It is most often discussed in neuro-oncology, neurosurgery, and radiation oncology because it can affect brain function and long-term neurologic health. Clinicians use the term to describe a tumor with specific molecular and microscopic features, not just a location on a scan. It is commonly evaluated with brain imaging and confirmed with tissue testing.
Astrocytoma is a tumor that develops from astrocytes, which are supportive (“glial”) cells in the brain and spinal cord. Astrocytoma is commonly discussed in neuro-oncology, neurosurgery, radiation oncology, and neuropathology. It can behave in slow-growing or more aggressive ways, depending on the tumor’s grade and molecular features. The term is used in diagnosis, treatment planning, and follow-up care for central nervous system (CNS) tumors.
GBM is a common abbreviation for **glioblastoma**, an aggressive type of primary brain cancer. It typically arises from supportive brain cells called **glial cells** and grows within the central nervous system. GBM is most often discussed in **neuro-oncology**, where teams diagnose and treat brain tumors. Clinicians use the term GBM to guide diagnostic testing, treatment planning, and supportive care.
Glioblastoma is an aggressive malignant (cancerous) tumor that starts in the brain. It is a type of glioma, meaning it arises from supportive cells in the central nervous system. In clinical care, the term is used to describe a fast-growing, infiltrative brain tumor with specific pathologic and molecular features. It is most commonly discussed in neuro-oncology, neurosurgery, radiation oncology, and cancer supportive care.
A Brain tumor is an abnormal growth of cells inside the brain or nearby structures. It can be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). The term is commonly used in neurology, neurosurgery, and oncology to describe a mass seen on brain imaging. It also describes a clinical condition that may affect thinking, movement, sensation, or other neurologic functions.
CALR mutation is a change in the **CALR (calreticulin)** gene found in some blood cancers. It most often comes up when clinicians evaluate **myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs)**, which are cancers where the bone marrow makes too many blood cells. CALR mutation testing is typically done on **blood or bone marrow** samples. Results help clinicians classify disease and guide overall care planning.
Karyotype analysis is a laboratory test that looks at chromosomes inside cells. It checks the number and structure of chromosomes to find large genetic changes. It is commonly used in oncology and hematology to help diagnose certain blood cancers. It is also used in reproductive and prenatal genetics to evaluate inherited chromosome differences.
A FISH panel is a group of laboratory tests that use fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to look for specific DNA changes in cells. It helps identify certain gene rearrangements, gains, losses, or amplifications that can matter in cancer diagnosis and treatment planning. FISH panel testing is commonly used on tumor tissue, blood, or bone marrow in oncology and hematology-oncology. Results are typically interpreted alongside the pathology report and other staging and biomarker tests.