New Techniques For Management Of Inoperable Gliomas

New Techniques for Management of 'Inoperable' Gliomas radically challenges the assumption that certain gliomas cannot be removed with modern techniques, contesting stereotypical thinking and establishing new paradigms in the field. Gliomas are primary brain tumors which are often fatal. Recent data has demonstrated that despite the fact that surgery cannot cure gliomas, patient survival is substantially improved by removing as much of the tumor as possible. This fact has raised the imperative that neurologists try to improve techniques to bring surgical resection to as many patients as possible. This book brings new insights and technologies to the forefront, giving hope to patients. Provides the first comprehensive book to discuss techniques for removing gliomas that are traditionally deemed ‘inoperable’ Presents a great reference tool that challenges stereotypical thinking by offering techniques by innovative surgeons Includes chapters that are organized by different glioma types and surgery/techniques

A unique resource on glioma leverages advances and firsthand insights to enact meaningful change Glioblastoma (GBM) or glioma is an extremely aggressive and malignant brain tumor, with cell infiltration, rapid invasion, and a high frequency of relapse. The Glioma Book by neurosurgeon Michael Sughrue is a highly personal book — a culmination of two years of writing and more than 1,000 surgeries. It presents a unique viewpoint with the potential to transform the traditional paradigm that too often informs treatment of this universally fatal brain tumor. The book reinterprets the role of the cerebrum and sub-cortex, leverages scientific advances to improve cytoreduction and reduce neurological deficits, and challenges the myth of the "inoperable" glioma. This is the first step-by-step technical guide focused on aggressively resecting different types of gliomas. The book is logically organized, starting with a foundation of fundamental knowledge, then progressing to practical applications. Chapters focus on the skills necessary to perform glioma surgery, specific techniques, and systematic approaches to gliomas in different brain regions. Numerous case examples illuminate concepts introduced earlier in the book and explain how to perform these procedures About 30 high quality videos posted online provide insightful procedural guidance The role of connectomic imaging in visualizing the cerebrum, and other innovative techniques including awake brain mapping and diffusion tensor tractography Neurosurgeons who embrace the concepts in this book will realize they can change the glioma treatment paradigm. Continually improving techniques and viewing a glioma diagnosis as a battle for a patient's life, rather than an exercise in inevitable failure can impart progress in treating this devastating disease.

Aggressive surgical removal is generally considered the main initial management option for most intracranial gliomas. It often results in resolution or alleviation of neurological symptoms and signs, normalizes intracranial pressure, facilitates characterization of the neoplasm, creates optimal conditions for adjuvant therapy and neurorehabilitation, and leads to prolongation of progression-free and overall survival of patients. Leading experts in neurosurgical oncology have contributed to this volume, highlighting modern principles of surgery for both newly-diagnosed and recurrent intracranial gliomas in adult as well as pediatric patients. The first of a three-volume set, it details epidemiological aspects, defines the importance of preoperative imaging, and describes current perioperative adjuvant needs. In addition, contemporary methods of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring, the value of brain mapping for functional preservation, tips to prevent complications, and postoperative results are presented and discussed. This book and its accompanying volumes are mainly directed at neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists and other clinicians treating patients with brain tumors.

Epidemiology of Brain and Spinal Tumors provides a single volume resource on imaging methods and neuroepidemiology of both brain and spinal tumors. The book covers a variety of imaging techniques, including computed tomography (CT), MRI, positron emission tomography (PET), and other laboratory tests used in diagnosis and treatment. Detailed epidemiology, various imaging methods, and clinical considerations of tumors of the CNS make this an ideal reference for users who will also find diverse information about structures and functions, cytology, epidemiology (including molecular epidemiology), diagnosis and treatment. This book is appropriate for neuroscience researchers, medical professionals and anyone interested in a complete guide to visualizing and understanding CNS tumors. Provides the most up-to-date information surrounding the epidemiology, biology and imaging techniques for brain and spinal tumors, including CT, MRI, PET, and others Includes full color figures, photos, tables, graphs and radioimaging Contains information that will be valuable to anyone interested in the field of neurooncology and the treatment of patients with brain and spinal tumors Serves as a source of background information for basic scientists and pharmaceutical researchers who have an interest in imaging and treatment

The past three decades have been marked with huge enthusiasm from scientists and professionals in an effort to find a cure for glioma disease. Methods to confirm the kinds and grades of glioma have taken a path from classical macro- to microscopic pathohystological confirmation of tumors, through morphological-histological, molecular, and genetic diagnosis. Surgically, progress was made possible with the development and use of technological aids, for example neuronavigation, cortical mapping, electrocorticography, neuromonitoring, functional and intraoperative MRI, magnetoencephalography, etc. Great hope was placed on the extension of tumor resection and popular supratotal resection. Significant progress has been made generally in glioma treatment with the use of modern radiotherapy and new chemotherapeutics. What do we want to see for the future? By way of stem cells, a specific medicine will be produced, individualized for the particular patient, and by using a microcapsule it will be implanted into the brain zone affected by the tumor by way of robot surgery and injection needle. This is not at all an unrealistic expectation in the next decade or two.

This book, now in its second edition, provides a comprehensive overview of current re-irradiation strategies, with detailed discussion of re-irradiation methods, technical aspects, the role of combined therapy with anticancer drugs and hyperthermia, and normal tissue tolerance. In addition, disease specific chapters document recent clinical results and future research directions. All chapters from the first edition have been revised and updated to take account of the latest developments and research findings, including those from prospective studies. Due attention is paid to the exciting developments in the fields of proton irradiation and frameless image-guided ablative radiotherapy. The book documents fully how refined combined modality approaches and significant technical advances in radiation treatment planning and delivery have facilitated the re-irradiation of previously exposed volumes, allowing both palliative and curative approaches to be pursued at various disease sites. Professionals involved in radiation treatment planning and multimodal oncology treatment will find it to be an invaluable aid in understanding the benefits and limitations of re-irradiation and in designing prospective trials.

This book reviews the significant advances in our understanding of glioma biology that have been achieved during the past decade and describes in detail the resultant new approaches to treatment. Improvements in surgical techniques, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are comprehensively covered, with discussion of their impact in decreasing patient morbidity and increasing survival. In addition, individual chapters are devoted specifically to current treatment for low-grade gliomas, anaplastic gliomas, and glioblastoma multiforme. Other topics addressed include treatment of the elderly patient, investigating emerging therapies from small molecules to immunotherapy and palliative care. This timely book will be a valuable source of up-to-date information for practitioners and will also be of interest to researchers.