Tumors of the Central Nervous System, Volume 6

With tens of thousands of new CNS tumor cases each year in the US alone, this Book Series is a vital resource for any medical professional encountering brain and CNS neoplasms in their work. Their frequent occurrence, as well as the scope and pace of research in the field, make staying on top of developments a priority. Focusing on the diagnosis, therapy and prognosis of those affecting the spine, this sixth volume in the series on tumors in the human central nervous system covers the key aspects of a range of major spinal tumors, including astrocytomas, ependymomas, and oligodendroglioma. It provides readers with insights into the molecular pathways involved in tumor biology as well as a detailed classification of intradural spinal tumors that includes figures on the relative incidence of the three major types.

Moving on to oligodendroglioma and primary spinal cord tumors, the volume discusses their diagnoses, outcomes and prognoses, before explaining procedures for identifying other spinal tumor varieties such as pilomyxoid and chordomas. Contributors also enumerate the benefits of neuroimaging in assessing spinal teratoid/rhabdoid and gangliogliomas neoplasms, and present detailed guides to treating a number of tumors affecting the spinal cord. The comprehensive coverage includes discussion of therapies across the spectrum of medical intervention, from chemotherapy and surgery to cyberknife stereotactic radiotherapy and rhenium-186 intracavity radiation. With assessments of the utility of transplanting stem-cell progenitors in repairing injured spinal cord, and explanations of new diagnostic and therapeutic technology, this volume of the TCNS series is as inclusive as it is informative.