The purpose of the study is to analyze biological samples and genetic material for basic science research investigating the molecular and cellular characterization of skull base tumors.
The overall goal of this proposal is to determine new molecular and cellular features that define tumor subtypes that are clinically actionable, may drive important changes in patient management, and/or elucidate novel chemotherapeutic options. Skull base tumors are currently diagnosed based on histopathologic criteria, on which post-operative management is based. However, the investigators hypothesize that each tumor type (eg. chordoma or chondrosarcoma) will have molecular and/or cellular subcategories that will redefine how to categorize and diagnose patients, predict clinical outcome, and optimally design a patient-specific management strategy. In addition, we aim to catalogue changes that occur after treatment after surgical resection, chemotherapy, and/or radiation by comparing primary and recurrent tumors.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
4,000
Understanding the biology of skull base tumors will teach the investigators about the genesis and/or mechanisms of treatment resistance. The investigators hope to ultimately identify new targets which will add to the armamentarium by which to treat these tumors.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
RECRUITINGPatient overall survival will be measured and reported.
There will be one outcome measure: overall survival.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 10 years
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