Brain Tumors (Contemporary Cancer Research) [Hardcover]

Francis Ali-Osman (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Contemporary Cancer Research | Publication Date: October 1, 2005

A comprehensive guide for both scientists and clinicians to recent advances in our understanding of the cellular and molecular processes involved in the initiation, progression, and clinical and biological behavior of brain tumors. The authors review the latest findings on the molecular biology, genetics, epidemiology, and pathology of brain tumors, detailing new knowledge about molecular profiling, molecular pathology and classification, in vitro and in vivo brain tumor models, brain metastasis, and progenitor cell biology. They also discuss in depth the cellular and genetic pathways involved in brain oncogenesis, malignant progression, and therapeutic response, highlighting oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, DNA damage and repair, invasion and migration, cell cycle, growth factors, signaling, apoptosis, and developmental biology. The discussion of brain tumor therapy focuses on advances in pharmacological thinking, therapeutic modalities, novel therapeutic targets, rational drug design, gene and viral therapies, drug delivery and the blood-brain barrier, immunotherapy, and brain imaging.

Editorial Reviews

From The New England Journal of Medicine

This multiauthored textbook compiles recent scientific advances in brain-tumor biology. In the past 10 to 15 years, there has been an explosion of information regarding the genesis and pathological classification of and new treatments for brain tumors. The main focus of this book is the gliomas, but it also deals with other primary brain tumors, such as meningiomas, as well as brain metastases. The editor has called on a notable group of authors who are widely recognized as experts and investigators of the fundamental abnormalities that characterize malignant brain tumors. The book has three sections. The first focuses on epidemiology, biology, genetics, and pathology; the second describes mechanisms and genetic pathways involved in oncogenesis; and the final section reviews new therapeutics. There is considerable overlap of information, particularly between the first two sections, in describing the critical pathways that are disrupted in glioma. For example, the molecular characteristics that distinguish a primary from a secondary glioblastoma are discussed many times. Nevertheless, this repetition enables each chapter to stand alone, freeing the reader from having to refer to prior material to follow an author's line of thought. This book contains a welcome compilation of the known genetic abnormalities in malignant gliomas and is an excellent reference with a good description of each abnormality. Furthermore, many authors discuss the interaction of multiple abnormalities and how the interaction affects the survival of malignant cells. The book also takes up the full spectrum of brain-tumor biology. Thus, there are chapters describing overall immune regulation, how it works in the brain, and how it could be harnessed for the treatment of brain tumors. A chapter on mouse models is insightful in discussing the molecular requirements for gliomagenesis. I found the book difficult to read -- literally. The type is dense and hard on the eyes, and the layout is visually monotonous, making it a challenge to maintain concentration. Many figures are of poor quality, and some diagrams and histologic reproductions would have benefited from the use of color. Some authors must have submitted their figures in color because figure legends refer to colors not present in the book. In addition, the book could have used closer editorial scrutiny. There are numerous examples of missing words in sentences, poor sentence construction, and words that run together without a space between them. These errors are sometimes confusing and interrupt the reader's train of thought. Each chapter is extensively referenced -- a wonderful resource for the reader. However, most chapters have references only as recent as 2000, with the occasional reference from 2001 or 2002. This is unfortunate, given the scientific focus of this work and the rapidly evolving world of molecular biology in brain tumors. Lisa M. DeAngelis, M.D.
Copyright © 2005 Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved. The New England Journal of Medicine is a registered trademark of the MMS.

Review

"This is an important book for the shelves of neuroscience, neurology, neurosurgery, and oncology departments. It's well worth the price." - Doody's Health Sciences Book Review Journal "This book contains a welcome compilation of the known genetic reference with a good description of each abnormality." - The New England Journal of Medicine "...this book is simply indispensable and should be a significant component for all individuals associated with either biology or treatment of gliomas...a thoroughly comprehensive, up-to-date, and timely review... ." - J. Neurosurg

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Humana Press; 1 edition (October 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1588290425
• ISBN-13: 978-1588290427
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,004,052 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Brain Tumors (Cancer research), February 4, 2010

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Fire Lizard (Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Brain Tumors (Contemporary Cancer Research) (Hardcover)

This book is one I will keep until I am in remission for a very long time. It is more to the technichal side, but very informative. For me to purchase my next book specific to Glia Cells and the greater function they have than nuerons! Good book for you shelf of self inquiry! I wish anyone going through brain cancer or any cancer would read the books and know how very far we are away from understanding things like the brain!