Our rapidly increasing knowledge about tumors of the brain and spine has rendered these tumors more treatable than ever before. In the new world of central nervous system oncology, maximally complete resection is followed by conformal radiotherapy and often by chemotherapy, the selection of which is based on the tumor's susceptibility to drugs that have biological actions known to interact with the tumor's particular molecular signature.

"Tumors of the Brain and Spine focuses primarily on the standard approaches to the treatment of benign, primary low-grade to high-grade, and metastatic tumors in the brain and spine used by surgeons and clinicians at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. It is written mainly for the primary care oncologist, general neurologist, and general neurosurgeon. Chapters on treatment focus on neurosurgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, both singly and in combination. Chapters on symptom management, the molecular genetics and neuropathology of intracranial tumors, the leptomeningeal dissemination of systemic cancer, the epidemiology of brain tumors, and innovative treatment strategies round out the volume. TOC:Foreword.- Epidemiology of Brain Tumors.- Neuropathology and Molecular Genetics of Intracranial Tumors.- Radiology of Brain Tumors: Structure and Physiology.- Surgically Curable Brain Tumors of Adults.- Low-Grade Gliomas: Evidence-Based Treatment Options.- Surgical Strategies for High-Grade Gliomas.- Radiation Oncology for Tumors of the Central Nervous System: Improving the Therapeutic Index.- Cytotoxic Chemotherapy for Diffuse Gliomas.- Innovative Treatment Strategies for High-Grade Gliomas.- Pituitary Tumors in Oncology.- Management of Lung Cancer, Breast Cancer, and Melanoma Metastatic to the Brain.- Neoplastic Meningitis.- Lymphoma Affecting the Central Nervous System.- Tumors of the Extradural Spine.- Tumors of the Spinal Cord and Intradural Space.- Symptom Management for Patients with Brain Tumors: Improving Quality of Life.- Index."

Epidemiology of Brain Tumors.- Neuropathology and Molecular Biology of Intracranial Tumors.- Radiology of Brain Tumors: Structure and Physiology.- Surgically Curable Brain Tumors of Adults.- Low-Grade Gliomas: Evidence-Based Treatment Options.- Surgical Strategies for High-Grade Gliomas.- Radiation Oncology for Tumors of the Central Nervous System: Improving the Therapeutic Index.- Cytotoxic Chemotherapy for Diffuse Gliomas.- Innovative Treatment Strategies for High-Grade Gliomas.- Pituitary Tumors in Oncology.- Management of Lung Cancer, Breast Cancer, and Melanoma Metastatic to the Brain.- Neoplastic Meningitis.- Lymphoma Affecting the Central Nervous System.- Tumors of the Extradural Spine.- Tumors of the Spinal Cord and Intradural Space.- Symptom Management for Patients with Brain Tumors: Improving Quality of Life.