Glioblastoma Epidemiology
One of the more puzzling aspects of glioblastoma is that there are relatively few clear and robust correlations between environmental factors and the establishment of tumors. One notable exception involves a cancer cluster of glioblastoma cases in a Pratt-Whitney aircraft facility (described in detail in Carol Bass's 2008 Scientific American pdf).
There is also some indication that exposure to ionizing radiation (as from previous radiation therapy) and to formaldehyde (as was historically used in ichthyology collections) might contribute to tumorigenesis. My own exposure to formaldehyde has been relatively infrequent but during the 70s through the 90s we were often fairly cavalier about handling fish specimens preserved in formaldehyde. This is part of the glioma natural history mystery. /dps
There is also some indication that exposure to ionizing radiation (as from previous radiation therapy) and to formaldehyde (as was historically used in ichthyology collections) might contribute to tumorigenesis. My own exposure to formaldehyde has been relatively infrequent but during the 70s through the 90s we were often fairly cavalier about handling fish specimens preserved in formaldehyde. This is part of the glioma natural history mystery. /dps
Labels: Cancer Biology
posted by Dann Siems @ 12:43
2 Comments:
At 19 October, 2009 12:42 ,
charliep said...
Dann,
Should you need to return to Bethesda, I have a close friend who also lives there and would be pleased to meet you and host. Richard Brockhause was an undergrad double major in physics and philosophy and went straight for his PhD in philosophy of science at Brown. Now he teaches math and coaches baseball at a Bethesda Prep School. He is also a brilliant musician, mostly playing bass with jazz gigs.
At 19 October, 2009 22:03 ,
Laddie & Jim Elwell said...
Dann– As a fellow sugar lover, you make me think more about my yen for sweets! I'd never heard about a potential connection before. Lots of us have practically wallowed (at least with hands) in formalin solutions over past years... Anyway, we're missing you and wish you were around as James Owens and I put the River Watch proposal for MPCA together. Though I've been remiss about contacting you, I've tried to keep up with how things are going, but never heard about whether your possible inclusion in NIH trials panned out. We were out of town last week and have to leave again on the 29th. You are in our thoughts constantly and we bet things will get better. Thanks loads for all the info. It's grant-writing time, too- should get 6 done in the next two weeks, which is crazy, so I'll keep checking on you, but may not be able to write.
Our very best to you, Lenore, and James,
Laddie & Jim
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