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.