Virtual brain tumours (gliomas) enhance the reality of medical imaging and highlight inadequacies of current therapy

K. R. Swanson, E. C. Alvord, J. D. Murray

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

184 Scopus citations

Abstract

Gliomas are brain tumours that differ from most other cancers by their diffuse invasion of the surrounding normal tissue and their notorious recurrence following all forms of therapy. We have developed a mathematical model to quantify the spatio-temporal growth and invasion of gliomas in three dimensions throughout a virtual human brain. The model quantifies the extent of tumorous invasion of individual gliomas in three-dimensions to a degree beyond the limits of present medical imaging, including even microscopy, and makes clear why current therapies based on existing imaging techniques are inadequate and cannot be otherwise without other methods for detecting tumour cells in the brain. The model's estimate of the extent of tumourous invasion beyond that defined by standard medical imaging can be useful in more accurately planning therapy regimes as well as predicting sites of potential recurrence without waiting for reemergence on follow-up imaging.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)14-18
Number of pages5
JournalBritish journal of cancer
Volume86
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 7 2002

Keywords

  • Brain tumour
  • Glioma
  • Mathematical model
  • Theoretical model

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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