Brain Metastasis

Brain Metastases from Primary Tumors Volume Three: Epidemiology, Biology, and Therapy of Melanoma and Other Cancers provides a comprehensive overview of the metastasis of cancer, the main cause of approximately 90% of cancer associated deaths, yet the mechanisms governing this clinically important process remain poorly understood. Melanoma is the third most common diagnosis among patients with brain metastases, after lung and breast cancer. Approximately 75% of patients with metastatic melanoma develop brain metastases during the course of their disease. Although tumorigenesis of melanoma remains poorly understood, recent advances in gene expression profiling have revealed molecular mechanisms of this deadly disease. In addition, high-throughput gene expression has many advantages over techniques in cancer transcriptomic studies and has led to the discovery of numerous diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic targets, which are also detailed in this book. The book discusses the link between primary tumors and brain metastasis of melanoma, including molecular mechanisms, treatment options, prognosis, and general applications. Comprehensive chapters discuss systemic therapy, integrin inhibitors, stereotaxic radiosurgery, and more, making this book a great resource for neurooncologists, neurosurgeons, neurologists, and cancer researchers. Presents the only comprehensive reference detailing the link between primary cancers and brain metastases in melanoma Aids the target audience in discussing various treatment options for patients with brain metastases from melanoma Edited work with chapters authored by leaders in the field around the globe – the broadest, most expert coverage available

This is a multi-specialty book on the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of CNS metastases of the brain and spine. Written by renowned experts in their fields, the book covers essential contemporary topics in CNS metastases care. The book is divided into seven parts that begin with chapters that cover the fundamental biology of disease so that subsequent chapters on imaging, diagnosis, treatment, and palliation can be properly contextualized. This text also provides a framework for understanding the biology of radiation therapy so that radiation treatment options of the brain and spine can be more fully understood. New medications and technologies are reviewed from the perspective of maximizing efficacy and minimizing toxicity, independently and as combinatorial therapy. Central Nervous System Metastases: Diagnosis and Treatment serves as a practical reference for health care providers and trainees. It provides the comprehensive, detailed perspective required to provide holistic care to patients with metastatic disease to the brain and spine.

Brain metastases are the most dreaded complication of systemic cancer, affecting some 170,000 people a year, a far greater incidence than primary brain tumors. This book presents current information on the presentation and management of patients with brain metastases, providing available data, giving guidelines that can be applied in day to day practice, updated information for neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, and neuron-oncologists, and as an overview for physicians in training.

With an annual rate of more than 12 million global diagnoses and 7.6 million deaths, the societal and economic burden of cancer cannot be overstated. Brain metastases are the most common malignant tumors of the central nervous system, yet their incidence appears to be increasing in spite of the advancement of cancer therapies. While much is known about primary cancers (including primary brain tumors), less work has been done to uncover the roots of metastatic disease. Brain Metastases from Primary Tumors Volume 1 fills that gap, serving as the first reference to focus primarily on the link between primary cancers and brain metastases. This link is explored for the most common cancer types – lung, breast, and melanoma. Additionally, biological background as well as therapy for CNS metastases is addressed. Age and gender related trends are also discussed, as is the use of biomarkers for early detection. The only comprehensive reference detailing the link between primary cancers and brain metastases Aids the target audience in determining the incidence of brain metastases in patients with a primary cancer Provided education about the potential use of biomarkers for early detection, diagnosis and prevention of the spread of primary cancer to the brain Documents temporal and gender-related trends in brain metastases from other cancers Edited work with chapters authored by leaders in the field around the globe – the broadest, most expert coverage available

This book describes the basics, the challenges and the limitations of state of the art brain tumor imaging and examines in detail its impact on diagnosis and treatment monitoring. It opens with an introduction to the clinically relevant physical principles of brain imaging. Since MR methodology plays a crucial role in brain imaging, the fundamental aspects of MR spectroscopy, MR perfusion and diffusion-weighted MR methods are described, focusing on the specific demands of brain tumor imaging. The potential and the limits of new imaging methodology are carefully addressed and compared to conventional MR imaging. In the main part of the book, the most important imaging criteria for the differential diagnosis of solid and necrotic brain tumors are delineated and illustrated in examples. A closing section is devoted to the use of MR methods for the monitoring of brain tumor therapy. The book is intended for radiologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, oncologists and other scientists in the biomedical field with an interest in neuro-oncology.

Latest guidelines for disease control of brain metastasis Recent strategies combining multiple modalities have opened up a whole new field of brain metastasis management focusing on disease control. The management of brain metastasis in modern times is no longer confined to palliation but seeks preservation of life quality and not only prolonged survival. Up-to-date guidelines and the main aspects of brain metastasis management as well as practical points on how to deal with difficult situations in daily clinical practice are presented. Epidemiology and biology and various effective treatment methods such as surgery, radiosurgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are well explained. Each chapter encompasses extensive reviews and presents broad perspectives on specific topics by the most renowned personages who have continuously shown their excellence in this rapidly progressing field. This book contains the most current information on the understanding of brain metastasis management. It is valuable reading for neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists and radiation oncologists who are searching for the best all-round treatment for their patients.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of brain metastases, from the molecular biology aspects to therapeutic management and perspectives. Due to the increasing incidence of these tumors and the urgent need to effectively control brain metastatic diseases in these patients, new therapeutic strategies have emerged in recent years. The volume discusses all these innovative approaches combined with new surgical techniques (fluorescence, functional mapping, integrated navigation), novel radiation therapy techniques (stereotactic radiosurgery) and new systemic treatment approaches such as targeted- and immunotherapy. These combination strategies represent a new therapeutic model in brain metastatic patients in which each medical practitioner (neurosurgeon, neurologist, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist) plays a pivotal role in defining the optimal treatment in a multidisciplinary approach. Written by recognized experts in the field, this book is a valuable tool for neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, neuroradiologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, cognitive therapists, basic scientists and students working in the area of brain tumors.

Of those people dying with cancer, many die as a result of metastases. In spite of this, a surprisingly small number of texts have been devoted to this clinically important topic. The present series of monographs originated in discussions, which convinced us of the need for texts on metasasis which would contain not only basic and clinical observations on human beings and where neces sary, on experimental animals but also discussions of the state of the art in diagnosis and therapy. In order to achieve this in-depth approach, for which publication was preceded by small workshops, it was necessary to impose limitations on the scope of the topic. Metastasis is therefore dis cussed by site, and the series is organized accordingly. The first volume in the series, Pulmonary Metastasis, was an expanded version of a Workshop held at Roswell Park Memorial Institute in 1977. This, the second volume, is based on a similar workshop on metastasis to the brain, held at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in September, 1978. In organiz ing both the workshop and in editing this volume, we have been excep tionally fortunate to receive the generous cooperation of Dr. Jerome B. Posner, a practicing neurologic oncologist who has given freely of his ex pertise in this specialized field.