The American Cancer Society anticipates that 16,500 patients will be diagnosed with primary malignant tumors of the central nervous system in 2000, with about 200,000 individuals presenting with brain metastases. The advances in the treatment of solid tumors have contributed significantly to the major increase in metastatic cancers to the brain. Of the primary malignant tumors of the brain, more than 50% are high-grade gliomas; the incidence has been increasing among older patients over the past decade. Major developments in new technologies in the treatment of primary brain tumors as well as metastatic disease are covered in depth. Even though management is difficult, advances are being made. This book is a concerted effort to present data regarding basic science research efforts alongside their translation into clinical practice using combined, integrated multimodal programs of treatment. Progress has been made, but innovatice approaches need to be pursued.

Inhalt

Management of Low-grade Gliomas: A Surgical Perspective - L.T. Khoo and M.L.J. Apuzzo; Radiotherapy in the Management of Low-grade Gliomas - R.D. Kortmann, B. Jeremic, and M. Bamberg; Surgical Therapy and Problems in the Treatment of Private Malignant Gliomas -M. Salcman; Radiation Therapy Principles for High-grade Gliomas - C.T. Miyamoto; The Role of Stereotactic Radiosurgery in the Management of Primary Brain Tumors -D. Huang, J. Chen, C. Yu, and Z. Petrovich; Frameless Stereotactic Radiosurgery - S.D. Chang, M.J. Murphy, D.P. Martin, and J.R. Adler, Jr.; Treatment of Brain Metastasis - Z. Petrovich, C. Yu, and M.L.J. Apuzzo; Management of Skull Base Tumors - J.D. Day and R.A. Freidman; Treatment of CNS Lymphomas - S.C. Formenti and A. Bettini; Chemotherapy in Adult CNS Tumors - S. ODay and B. Dykes; Immunotherapy for Primary Brain Tumors - J.E. Lahaniatis and L.W. Brady; Prospects for Gene Therapy for Brain Tumors - V.C.-K. Tse and G. Harsh ; Radiation Therapy in the Management of Pediatric Brain Tumors - R.S. Lavey; Surgical Management of Pediatric Patients with CNS Tumors - M.D. Krieger, J.G. McComb, and M. Levy; Chemotherapy in Pediatric Patients - D.J. Hyder; Surgery for Primary and Metastatic Tumors of the Spine - A.T. Parsa, B.D. Birch, M.G. Kaiser, and P.C. McCormick; Radiotherapy of Tumors of the Spine - Z. Petrovich, M. Liker, and G. Jozsef; Management of Rare Central Nervous System Tumors - G. Hsu and R. Sawaya; Toxicity of Therapy and Quality of Life of Patients Treated for CNS Tumors - S.C. Formenti and Z. Petrovich; Complexity of Nursing Care in Patients Undergoing Treatment for CNS Tumors - E.M. Thomson; Subject Index; List of Contributors.