Rare CNS Tumors Outcomes &Risk

Background:

Rare cancers are defined as those with \<40,000 cases per year. There are over 130 separate types of primary CNS tumors, all of which meet the definition of a rare cancer. However, some CNS cancers have incidences of less than 1,000 cases per year. Because of its relative rarity, limited reports of the presentation and clinical course have been completed. With the support of the CERN-Foundation, the Adult Ependymoma Outcomes Projects (AEO) was launched to address this lack of information for one type of rare CNS tumor- ependymoma. Using an online platform, participants and families from across the world have participated, providing information that has helped elucidate the presentation and ongoing health of individuals with this disease. To date, over 300 adults have participated with over 95% reporting interest in continuing and expanding their participation. Results from the AEO baseline survey and a follow-up survey (AEOII addressing socioeconomic impact of the disease) have been published. The most recent data from the AEO has been presented at the Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO) annual meetings in 2015 and 2016.

An additional consequence of the relative rarity of these CNS tumors, studies to evaluate risk factors for the occurrence of these rare CNS tumors or predicting the clinical course of these rare CNS tumors are also limited. Rare CNS tumors like other cancers, occur when there are changes to genes that control the way cells grow and divide often as a result of exposure to other environmental risk factors. Therefore, exploring genetic changes in persons with rare CNS tumors will allow us to begin to understand what changes are associated specifically with these tumors. To date, these participants are often included as part of larger cohorts which include other types of brain tumors. We now understand that even among gliomas, the risk factors differ. Therefore, identifying the risk factors specifically associated with rare CNS tumors is critical for primary prevention and early detection. This knowledge would allow scientists and physicians to eventually screen for these changes or target the genes or the processes they control for treatment purposes.

Objectives:

The primary objectives of this study are to:

• Obtain self-reported data on treatment, symptoms, functional status, and quality of life for adult participants with rare CNS tumors.
• To evaluate the relationship between health status and disease and treatment characteristics.
• To evaluate self-reported clinical and demographic risk factors in adult participants in the rare CNS tumor participant population.
• To explore genomic susceptibility in participants with rare CNS tumors

Eligibility:

The adult rare CNS tumor population for this study are participants >= 18 years of age who self- identify as being diagnosed with one of 12 rare CNS tumors, including:

• Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT)
• Brainstem and midline gliomas

• Choroid plexus tumors

  • Choroid plexus carcinoma
  • Choroid plexus papilloma
  • Atypical choroid plexus papilloma

• Ependymoma

  • Subependymoma
  • Myxopapillary ependymoma
  • Papillary ependymoma
  • Clear cell ependymoma
  • Tanycytic ependymoma
  • RELA fusion-positive
  • Anaplastic ependymoma
  • Posterior Fossa A
  • Posterior Fossa B

• High grade meningioma

  • Chordoid meningioma
  • Clear cell meningioma
  • Atypical meningioma
  • Papillary meningioma
  • Rhabdoid meningioma
  • Anaplastic (malignant) meningioma
• Gliomatosis cerebri

• Medulloblastoma

  • Sonic Hedge Hog (SHH)
  • WNT
  • Group 3
  • Group 4
• Oligodendroglioma / Anaplastic oligodendroglioma

• Pineal region Tumors

  • Pineoblastoma
  • Pineocytoma
  • Pineal parenchymal tumor of intermediate differentiation
  • Papillary tumor of the pineal region
• Pleomorphic xanthroastrocytoma / Anaplastic pleomorphic xanthroastrocytoma
• PNET (Supratentorial embryonal tumor)
• Primary CNS sarcoma / Secondary CNS sarcoma (Gliosarcoma)

Design:

• This study represents an ongoing effort to systematically evaluate outcomes in a large group of participants with these rare tumors. It will provide descriptive data which can be used to design further studies evaluating interventions related to identified health and quality of life related issues for this participant population.
• Participants will be invited to participate through an ad on the CERN Foundation website (ependymoma), information on the Neuro-Oncology Branch website and other identified advocacy and social media sites and direct mailer to those who have already participated in the EO projects.
• The goal of adding the Rare CNS tumors Risk Survey is to implement a survey to further evaluate participants in the EO for several known and suspected risk factors for rare CNS tumors and to obtain germline DNA to interrogate genomic susceptibility to the disease.
• Interested participants will complete an enrollment form that will be sent to the study coordinator. Once submitted, the study coordinator will then send the participant a consent form and schedule a time for remote consent if interested.
• Once consent is obtained, the study coordinator will send the participant instructions and a unique link that they will use to access and complete the survey(s).
• Once the surveys are completed, the study coordinator will email the participant a request for medical records to help us collect more health information related to the care of their Rare CNS tumor diagnosis.
• Once the survey(s) are completed, the participant will be mailed a kit to collect saliva for germline DNA.