CANCER AWARENESS
Brain Cancer Awareness Month 2026
May
Brain Cancer Awareness: Advancing Diagnostics and Early Detection
Brain cancer is a serious health condition that requires accurate diagnosis and timely treatment. Although it is less common than many other cancers, brain and central nervous system (CNS) tumors can be complex and life-threatening.
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) plays an important role in identifying different types of brain cancers by detecting specific tumor markers, helping pathologists determine tumor origin and support effective treatment decisions.
Below is information on various types of brain cancers and their associated IHC markers.
Gliomas
Gliomas are the most common type of primary brain cancer and include glioblastomas, astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, and ependymomas.
The following markers are widely used to classify gliomas:
| Marker | Description |
|---|---|
| GFAP | A marker for astrocytes, commonly used to identify astrocytomas and glioblastomas. |
| Olig2 | A marker for oligodendrocytes, frequently used in diagnosing oligodendrogliomas. |
Meningiomas
Meningiomas are generally benign but can sometimes be atypical or malignant.
The following markers are used in their classification:
| Marker | Description |
|---|---|
| EMA | A common marker for meningiomas. |
| Progesterone Receptor | Often positive in meningiomas and helps differentiate them from other tumors. |
Medulloblastomas
Medulloblastomas are common in children and originate in the cerebellum.
| Marker | Description |
|---|---|
| Synaptophysin | A marker for neuronal differentiation. |
| Beta-catenin | Important in the Wnt signaling pathway, used to identify specific subtypes of medulloblastomas. |
Primary Central Nervous System Lymphomas
PCNSL is a type of lymphoma affecting the brain.
| Marker | Description |
|---|---|
| CD20 | A marker for B-cell lymphomas, which are the most common type of PCNSL. |
| CD3 | Used to identify T-cell lymphomas, which are less common in the CNS. |
DBS offers a comprehensive brain cancer panel that features innovative rabbit monoclonal and mouse monoclonal antibodies. These antibodies ensure the sensitivity and specificity needed for immunohistochemistry (IHC) tests.
This means pathologists and oncologists can expect fast, precise results, leading to accurate diagnoses and enabling them to formulate effective treatment plans for their patients.