Neurology
Primary brain tumors are well-known features of several hereditary cancer/tumor predisposition syndromes and have been associated with additional inherited germline mutations as phenotypic spectrums expand and new genes are discovered. Many of the well-characterized syndromes are also associated with additional cancer pathologies, prompting genetic screening in individuals with characteristic personal and/or family histories. In addition, an early age of diagnosis and/or a particular type of brain tumor may prompt genetic screening in the absence of family history. Identifying patients that would benefit from further assessment is an important step in the management of primary brain tumors, and genetic counselors are specially trained to offer this type of assessment. However, genetic counseling may not be regularly incorporated into many neuro-oncology practices (or readily available), despite some patients presenting in a neuro-oncology clinic for initial diagnosis