Brain cancer is more prevalent in Indiana than the nation as a whole, and IU Health is part of an experimental study aimed at cutting down that rate.

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Dr. Stephanie Wagner, a neuro-oncologist with IU Health, says the rate of malignant brain tumors in Indiana is eight-percent higher than the national average, with the mortality rate for brain cancer seven-percent higher. Wagner is working on a new treatment that is, in effect, a vaccine used during brain cancer treatment that is made from a patient's own tumor. The vaccine is given as part of conventional brain cancer treatment.

While it is too early to say if such treatment will result in more long-term survival, Wagner says preliminary studies on similar treatments from UCLA show that some patients have double or triple the typical life expectancy.

IU Health is still accepting new patients for this experimental treatment study. To see if someone qualifies, call 317.962.3172