The Glioma Book


Book Description

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.




Glioblastoma:


Book Description

Glioblastoma is the most malignant brain tumor that still remains incurable. It is such a deadly disease that patients do not survive more than a few months after diagnosis. Our understanding of the histopathology and molecular mechanisms of formation of glioblastoma is rapidly advancing so as to provide us clues for devising rational therapeutic strategies for treatment of this malignancy. It is important that we continue to improve our knowledge about the pathogenesis of this devastating disease and explore new areas to find successful therapeutic strategies. Various approaches such as sophisticated imaging techniques, improved surgical procedures, ground-breaking strategies for radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, chemoimmunotherapy, and photodynamic therapy are being used for eradicating glioblastoma. Hopefully, this book will be an important source of information on glioblastoma and therefore be highly useful to the students, postdoctoral fellows, principal investigators, and clinicians involved in this field.




Glioma Imaging


Book Description

This book covers physiologic, metabolic and molecular imaging for gliomas. Gliomas are the most common primary brain tumors. Imaging is critical for glioma management because of its ability to noninvasively define the anatomic location and extent of disease. While conventional MRI is used to guide current treatments, multiple studies suggest molecular features of gliomas may be identified with noninvasive imaging, including physiologic MRI and amino acid positron emission tomography (PET). These advanced imaging techniques have the promise to help elucidate underlying tumor biology and provide important information that could be integrated into routine clinical practice. The text outlines current clinical practice including common scenarios in which imaging interpretation impacts patient management. Gaps in knowledge and potential areas of advancement based on the application of more experimental imaging techniques will be discussed. In reviewing this book, readers will learn: current standard imaging methodologies used in clinical practice for patients undergoing treatment for glioma and the implications of emerging treatment modalities including immunotherapy the theoretical basis for advanced imaging techniques including diffusion and perfusion MRI, MR spectroscopy, CEST and amino acid PET the relationship between imaging and molecular/genomic glioma features incorporated in the WHO 2016 classification update and the potential application of machine learning about the recently adopted and FDA approved standard brain tumor protocol for multicenter drug trials of the gaps in knowledge that impede optimal patient management and the cutting edge imaging techniques that could address these deficits




Precision Molecular Pathology of Glioblastoma


Book Description

This volume provides a balanced and realistic review of the current state of glioblastoma, ranging from traditional histological review, molecular pathology of glioma, modern radiomics, neurosurgical focus, and integration of treatment plans by neuro-oncologists. The book reviews basic principles such as epidemiology and etiology, and modern 2016 WHO classification of CNS tumors. Chapters cover a general overview of common molecular techniques used in molecular pathology, molecular pathology in a developing country, key drivers of patient outcomes and predictors of response to radiation and/or chemotherapy treatment, and immunohistochemical surrogates for key molecular pathology. It concludes with reviews on radiomics, animal and stem cell models of glioblastoma, and a chapter on the emerging field of Glioblastoma Neuroscience. Precision Molecular Pathology of Glioblastoma is intended for pathology residents and fellows interested in glioblastoma, general surgical pathologists who need reviews on how to implement modern glioblastoma classification, as well as neuro-radiologists, oncologists, and radiation oncologists needing a holistic perspective to glioblastoma diagnosis and management.




New Techniques for Management of 'Inoperable' Gliomas


Book Description

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




Diffuse Low-Grade Gliomas in Adults


Book Description

This book presents the latest research pertaining to the diagnosis, therapy and management of diffuse low-grade gliomas (DLGG) in adults, with a particular focus on the path towards individualised therapy for this kind of tumour. Recent research on the natural history of DLGGs and their interaction with the brain has led to new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies which increase survival and quality of life of the patient, and these methods are described in this book.




Navigating Glioblastoma


Book Description

A stale marriage. A deadly diagnosis. For Sally Connolly, three years of struggle followed her husband Peter's surgery for terminal brain cancer at age 61. Choosing treatment options that interfered least with his career, Peter focused his limited energy on work, with little left for his family, further straining the marriage during his remaining days. Connolly's clear-eyed and affecting memoir recounts their wrangling over gender roles, money management, domestic decisions and lifestyle changes. Through their traumatic journey, they find humor and comfort in unexpected places.




A Statistic of One


Book Description

A Statistic of One: My Walk with Glioblastoma Multiforme traces Stephen Hatrak's life from his diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme, the deadliest of malignant brain tumors, to the present. He chronicles the trials and tribulations he faced and the losses he suffered along his journey. Faith and inner strength are formidable allies in overcoming any tragedy in one's life, and they played vital roles in his struggle. He was told from the start that the he might have twelve months to live; even so, he defi ed the odds and, six years later, is telling his own story. Despite the dire statistics associated with a diagnosis of glioblastoma, there are several stories of long-term survival; these stories gave him hope that this cancer could be tamed. To overcome this challenge in his life, he had to believe in himself and fi nd his inner sixth sense to strengthen his resolve. Along the way, he learned that life with brain cancer could be tough, but that he could be even tougher. What cancer cannot do....separate me from my soul, squash my spirit, and stop the sun from rising in the east and setting in the west; creating new tomorrows and new opportunities. A Statistic of One is an uplifting story of faith and perseverance; how we cope with challenge will determine how we move forward and live life to its fullest.




Living with a Brain Tumor


Book Description

Each year, 100,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with a brain tumor. With his new book, Dr. Peter Black fills a gap in the lay readership, providing an accessible medical resource for adult patients and their families. Dr. Black, who has operated on more than 3,000 patients with brain tumors, is uniquely qualified to discuss both clinical treatment of and research into brain tumors. This invaluable resource tells patients everything they need to know to understand and address their diagnosis, in a four-part structure: • "What is a Brain Tumor?" provides straightforward information about how brain tumors are diagnosed, the different types of tumors and how they develop, and where to go for treatment. • "Coping with Shock" addresses the emotional impact of the diagnosis on the patient and their family, offering specific advice on support groups and how to managing work and finances during your treatment. • "Treatment options" outlines the complex array of available treatments in a sequential, logical, and thorough manner, enabling readers to make informed decisions. • "Recovery" describes how to deal with the aftermath, addressing issues ranging from physical scars to speech and occupational therapy. Dr. Black believes that more than half of brain tumor cases can be resolved with relatively minor side effects or none at all. Equipped with this informative book, patients and their family and friends can learn how to fight brain tumors effectively, putting them on the path to wellness.




Intracranial Gliomas Part II - Adjuvant Therapy


Book Description

Treatment of patients with intracranial gliomas, especially high-grade neoplasms, usually requires postoperative adjuvant therapy. Significant progress in the understanding of tumor biology, technological advances in irradiation delivery, and development of novel antitumor drugs have led to an expansion of the therapeutic arsenal in neuro-oncology. This publication provides a unique review of the various options for adjuvant therapy. Special emphasis is on current evidence-based treatment standards and guidelines, and on perspectives of further improvement in long-term outcomes. Chapters review the histopathological and molecular features of gliomas and describe basic principles and clinical results of fractionated radiotherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, brachytherapy, use of radiosensitizers, systemic chemotherapy and antiangiogenic therapy. Particular attention is paid to treatment of pediatric patients and to physical and psychological rehabilitation and supportive care at the end of life. This book and its accompanying volumes are mainly directed at neuro-oncologists, radiation oncologists, and other clinicians treating patients with brain tumors.