Like the ten preceding volumes in the series Tumors of the Central Nervous System, this book is distinguished for its comprehensive approach, its distinguished roster of some 93 contributors representing 8 different countries and its embrace of leading-edge technology and methods. Volume 11: Imaging, Glioma and Glioblastoma, Stereotactic Radiotherapy, Spinal Cord Tumors, Meningioma, and Schwannomas concentrates on the diagnosis, prognosis and therapy of four types of tumors, namely Glioblastoma, Meningioma, Schwannoma and Spinal Tumors. The book offers an in-depth survey of a range of new technologies and their applications to tumor diagnosis, treatment and therapy assessment. The contributors explain in thorough detail a range of current and newly developed imaging methods, including molecular imaging and PET scan. Also covered is molecular profiling of brain tumors to select therapy in clinical trials of brain tumors. Discussion includes a review of such surgical treatments as resection and the application of non-invasive stereotactic radiosurgery for treating high-risk patients with brain metastasis. Additional discussion is devoted to tumor seeding.

Volume 13: Pineal, Pituitary, and Spinal Tumors is organized in six sections, for convenience and quick access to critical information. Section I, Types of Tumors includes a chapter on molecular characterization of Embryonal tumors, a chapter on diagnosis of metastatic oligodendroglioma using fine-needle aspiration cytology, one covering intra-arterial chemotherapy of oligodendroglial tumors and another on the role of cyclooxygenase-2 in the development and growth of Schwannomas, and others, closing with a chapter on trigeminal neuralgia with cerebellopontine angle tumors. Section II, Diagnosis, includes two chapters on cell counting in histopathologic slides of tumors. Section III offers three chapters which discuss aspects of intraoperative ultrasonography. Section IV covers brain tumor surgery, and Section V surveys Brain Metastasis. The final section offers a wide-ranging review of General Diseases, with chapters on, among others, Alexander Disease; Lipoma; Transplantation of human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells in cases of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain damage; and a chapter discussing the use of mobile phones and brain cancer risk in children. Like its twelve predecessors in the series, this volume merits distinction for its thorough approach, its roster of 78 distinguished contributors representing 14 different countries and its detailed examination of leading-edge technology and methods.

As in the case of its eleven predecessors in the series Tumors of the Central Nervous System, this volume is distinguished for its thorough approach, its roster of 92 distinguished contributors representing 11 different countries and its detailed examination of leading-edge technology and methods. Volume 12: Molecular Mechanisms, Children’s Cancer, Treatments, and Radiosurgery offers a comprehensive review of the diagnosis, therapy and prognosis of brain and spinal cord tumors. Coverage extends to a large number of tumor types, including neuroblastoma, medulloblastoma, meningioma and chordoma. Molecular profiling of brain tumors to select appropriate therapy in clinical trials of brain tumors is discussed in detail, as is the classification/diagnosis of brain tumors based on function analysis. CDK6 as the molecular regulator of neuronal differentiation in the adult brain, and the role of aquaporins in human brain tumor growth are explained. Discussion also includes tumors affecting children, including neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma. A full chapter is devoted to the role of molecular genetic alterations in medulloblastoma, and another examines survival differences between children and adults with medulloblastoma. The use of various types of imaging methods to diagnose brain tumors is explained. In-depth discussion of treatment options includes stereotactic radiosurgery, endoscopic neurosurgery, electrochemotherapy, transsphenoidal surgery, focal ablation, whole brain radiation therapy and recraniotomy.

This fourteenth volume of the series provides comprehensive, current information on the diagnosis, therapy and prognosis of brain tumors and spinal tumors. For the readers' convenience, contributions are organized into three categories of Pineal Tumors, Pituitary Tumors, and Spinal Tumors. Readers will find discussion of various aspects of a number of tumor types, including angiocentric glioma, pilomyxoid astrocytoma, pituicytoma, pediatric low-grade gliomas, meningiomas and spinal cord tumors. Expert oncologists, neurosurgeons, physicians, research scientists and pathologists from around the world have contributed to this extensive publication. Their chapters highlight practical experience and provide exceptional insight into the nature of cancer. The authors cover topics ranging from the use of molecular criteria in diagnosis and targeting of medicine, through evidence-based approaches, to in-depth discussion of long-term follow-up after surgery. This handbook, as earlier volumes in the series, will appeal to professionals involved in the treatment of cancer, as well as to researchers. The series crosses subjects of diagnosis, drug development, therapy and its assessment and prognosis of tumors of the central nervous system, cancer recurrence and resistance to chemotherapy.

With tens of thousands of new CNS tumor cases each year in the US alone, this series of publications is a valuable aid to the diagnosis and treatment of these problematic neoplasms. Now, the eighth in the set returns to the topic of brain tumors, dealing with seven distinct types: astrocytoma, medulloblastoma, retinoblastoma, chordoma, craniopharyngioma, oligodendroglioma, and ependymoma. After updating the classification of medulloblastoma the volume provides an overview of ependymoma as well as describing the delineation of prognosis based on the genetic aberrations of the latter patients. The material offers key insights into the molecular pathways involved in tumor biology, such as the role of E-cadherin gene instability, carbonic anhydrase II, urokinase plasminogen activator, and Wnt signaling in meningioma. Contributors explain the genetic and clinical features associated with recurring meningioma, including the role played by erythropoietin receptor, and examine the way in which OTX2 transcription factor functions as an oncogene in medulloblastoma. With much more besides, including discussion of the molecular mechanisms that result in resistance to chemotherapy in medulloblastoma, this volume and its companions have a positive role to play in inspiring a new generation of researchers to design new drugs that are better targeted—and thus more effective.

Various aspects, including diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis, of two brain tumors (meningioma and schwannoma) , of brain tumors are discussed in this volume. Insights on the understanding of molecular pathways involved in brain tumor biology are explained. For example, the role of E-cadherin gene instability, carbonic anhydrase 11, urokinase plasminogen activator, and Wnt signaling is discussed in detail. Such information will lead to the development of effective aniicancer drugs. The role of molecular genetics and epigenetic mechanisms in schwannomas is explained. Also, is explained the role of cyclin D1 in vestibular schwannoma. The determination of subtypes of meningiomas using perfusion magnetic resonance imaging is explained. Diagnosis of incidentally discovered meningioma and cystic papillary meningioma is also included. Diagnosis of facial nerve schwannoma, vestibular schwannoma, and intermediate nerve schwannoma is explained. Treatments for atypical meningioma, oncocytic meneingioma, intracranial meningioma, and cavernous are presented. Therapeutic methods such as neurosurgery, Gamma knife radiosurgery, and adjuvant radiation for this cancer are included. Large number of other treatments, including radiosurgery, retrosigmoidal craniotomy, and immunotherapy, for vestibular schwannoma patients are detailed.

The most recent developments in diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of Gliomas (glioblastoma) in the brain are presented. The importance of personalized medicine and clinical validation for targeted therapy are discussed. The identification of various types of biomarkers (determined by molecular genetics) is included, along with their advantages and limitations as markers in tumor detection and diagnosis. The identification and validation of brain cancer (glioblastoma) genes are discussed. The role of cancer stem cells in the initiation and persistence of malignant gliomas is explained; response of glioblastoma cancer stem cells to various growth factors, such as epidermal growth factor receptor kinase inhibitor, is explained. The use of surgical resection, chemotherapy (e.g., temozolomide), immunotherapy, and radiation therapy for glioblastoma patients is included. Biological impediments for chemotherapy and radiotherapy for malignant glioblastoma are pointed out. Standard (established) as well as newer imaging modalities (proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy) are discussed. Also included are proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in intracranial gliomas, and the use of proton magnetic spectroscopic imaging in determining the infiltration zone in gliomas. The role of molecular signaling in the CNS cancer development is explained, including cell death signaling in glioblastoma multiforme. The most recent developments in diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of Gliomas (glioblastoma) in the brain are presented. The importance of personalized medicine and clinical validation for targeted therapy are discussed. The identification of various types of biomarkers (determined by molecular genetics) is included, along with their advantages and limitations as markers in tumor detection and diagnosis. The identification and validation of brain cancer (glioblastoma) genes are discussed. The role of cancer stem cells in the initiation and persistence of malignant gliomas is explained; response of glioblastoma cancer stem cells to various growth factors, such as epidermal growth factor receptor kinase inhibitor, is explained. The use of surgical resection, chemotherapy (e.g., temozolomide), immunotherapy, and radiation therapy for glioblastoma patients is included. Biological impediments for chemotherapy and radiotherapy for malignant glioblastoma are pointed out. Standard (established) as well as newer imaging modalities (proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy) are discussed. Also included are proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in intracranial gliomas, and the use of proton magnetic spectroscopic imaging in determining the infiltration zone in gliomas. The role of molecular signaling in the CNS cancer development is explained, including cell death signaling in glioblastoma multiforme.

This volume contains information on the diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis of spinal tumors. Various aspects of different major types of spinal tumors (astrocytomas, ependymomas, and oligodendroglioma) are discussed. Insights into the understanding of molecular pathways involved in tumor biology are explained. Classification of intradural spinal tumors, including the percentages of each of the three major types, is detailed. Symptoms, radiological features, and clinicopathological parameters of spinal cord tumors are explained. Diagnosis, outcome, and prognosis of primary spinal cord and oligodendroglioma are discussed. Diagnosis of some other spinal tumors (e.g., pilomyxoid and chordomas) is also explained. The useful role of neuroimaging in diagnosing spinal teratoid/rhabdoid and gangliogliomas is included. A wide variety of treatments of a number of spinal cord tumor types are presented in detail. Therapies discussed include chemotherapy, surgery, radiosurgery, stereotactic radiosurgery, Cyberknife stereotactic radiotherapy, standard radiation alone, and rhenium-186 intracavity radiation. Also are duiscussed embolozation and spondylectomy. The usefulness of transplantation of human embryonic stem cells-derived oligodendrocyte progenitors and motoneuron progenitors in the repair of injured spinal cord is emphasized. Symptoms of the advent of spinal tumors are pointed out. Introduction to new technologies and their applications to spinal cord tumor diagnosis, treatment, and therapy assessment are explained.

This volume mainly contains information on the diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis of brain tumors. Insights on the understanding of molecular pathways involved in tumor biology are explained, which should lead to the development of effective drugs. Information on pathways (e.g., hedgehog) facilitates targeted therapies in cancer. Tumor models are also presented, which utilize expression data, pathway sensitivity, and genetic abnormalities, representing targets in cancer. For example, rat model of malignant brain tumors using implantation of doxorubicin with drug eluting beads for delivery is explained. The future of pathway-driven therapies for tumors is summarized. The importance of personalizing cancer care is emphasized. The need for supportive measures for survivors of brain cancer is pointed out, so is the quality of life monitoring. The need of rehabilitation therapy for patients with primary and metastatic brain tumors is also emphasized. Role of MicroRNA in distinguishing primary tumors from metastatic primary tumors is discussed. Advantages and limitations of chemotherapy (e.g., temozolomide and doxorubicin) are discussed. The complexity of tumor to tumor transfer is explained; examples discussed are: brain metastases from breast cancer and brain metastases fro non-small cell lung carcinoma. Identification and characterization of biomarkers, including those for metastatic brain tumors, are presented. Genomic analysis for identifying clinically relevant subtypes of glioblastoma is included. A large number of imaging modalities are detailed to study progression and invasion of gliomas

Advantages and limitations of biomarkers in gliomagenesis are described. Molecular subtypes of gliomas are detailed. The role played by TP53 gene mutation in the deadliest brain tumor, glioblastoma multiforme, is pointed out. The role of mutations of IDH1 and IDH2, and isocitrate dehydrogenases in malignant gliomas are presented. Metabolic differences in different regions of the glioma tumor are clarified. Various types of imaging modalities, including PET and SPECT, to diagnose gliomas in general and glioblastoma in particular in patients are explained in detail. Both low-grade and high-grade gliomas are discussed. Conventional as well as fluorescent-guided resection techniques for high-grade, recurrent malignant gliomas are detailed. Impact of resection extent on outcomes in patients with high-grade gliomas is clarified. The advantage of the use of intraoperative low-field MRI in glioma surgery is explained.