Neuro-oncology Part 1, Brain Tumors: Principles of Biology, Diagnosis and Therapy

Neuro-Oncology is a three-part coverage of that subject over three volumes, with a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach. This first section deals with fundamental aspects including ontogeny, classification and genetic defects of brain tumors. Correct diagnosis is crucial and ample attention is devoted to the clinical setting defined by the boundaries of epidemiological data, neurological signs and symptoms, indicating either focal or diffuse involvement of the nervous system. Consistently thorough, the volume explains how there can be more symptoms than caused by the tumor itself. Advances in neuropathology, including histochemical techniques, are enabling us to get a better grip on the nature and degree of malignancy in tumors. The final word on the efficacy of any treatment depends on the results of clinical trials for which the proper methodology, including design and statistic requirements, is discussed. Neurotoxicity is another aspect of major concern and interest adequately handled in this work. Neuro-Oncology Part I therefore concludes with a discussion on the neurotoxic effects of brain-targeted therapy.