The American Cancer Society anticipates that 16,500 patients will be diagnosed with primary malignant tumors of the central nervous system in 2000, with about 200,000 individuals presenting with brain metastases. The advances in the treatment of solid tumors have contributed significantly to the major increase in metastatic cancers to the brain. Of the primary malignant tumors of the brain, more than 50% are high-grade gliomas; the incidence has been increasing among older patients over the past decade. Major developments in new technologies in the treatment of primary brain tumors as well as metastatic disease are covered in depth. Even though management is difficult, advances are being made. This book is a concerted effort to present data regarding basic science research efforts alongside their translation into clinical practice using combined, integrated multimodal programs of treatment. Progress has been made, but innovatice approaches need to be pursued.

1 Epidemiology of Primary Brain Tumors

2 Pathology of CNS Tumors
3 Molecular Biology
4 Biological Principles of Radiotherapy in the Central Nervous System
5 Principles of Physics of External Beam Radiotherapy
6 Principles of Physics of Stereotactic Radiosurgery
7 Imaging of Intracranial and Spinal Neoplasms
8 Surgical Management of Pituitary Adenomas
9 Radiotherapy for Pituitary Adenomas
10 Craniopharyngiomas: Surgical Management
11 Radiation Therapy for Craniopharyngioma
12 Management of Vestibular Schwannomas
13 Surgical Therapy and Problems in the Treatment of Meningioma
14 Radiotherapy for Meningioma
15 Management of Low-grade Gliomas: A Surgical Perspective
16 Radiotherapy in the Management of Low-grade Gliomas
17 Surgical Therapy and Problems in the Treatment of Malignant Gliomas
18 Radiation Therapy Principles for High-Grade Gliomas
19 The Role of Stereotactic Radiosurgery in the Management of Primary Brain Tumors
20 Frameless Stereotactic Radiosurgery
21 Treatment of Brain Metastasis
22 Management of Skull Base Tumors
23 Treatment of CNS Lymphomas
24 Chemotherapy in Adult CNS Tumors
25 Immunotherapy for Primary Brain Tumors
26 Prospects for Gene Therapy for Brain Tumors
27 Radiation Therapy in the Management of Pediatric Brain Tumors
28 Surgical Management of Pediatric Patients with CNS Tumors
29 Chemotherapy in Pediatric Patients
30 Surgery for Primary and Metastatic Tumors of the Spine
31 Radiotherapy of Tumors of the Spine
32 Management of Rare Central Nervous System Tumors
33 Toxicity of Therapy and Quality of Life in Patients Treated for CNS Tumors
34 Complexity of Nursing in Patients Undergoing Treatment for CNS Tumors
List of Contributors.