Central Nervous System Metastases

PREFACE.- I Epidemiology.- II Pathology and Biology.- 1 Pathology of brain metastases.- 2 Translationnal approaches.- 3 Molecular mechanisms driving brain metastases development .- 4 Genomics characterization of BM.- 5 BM cell partners and tumor microenvironment.- 6 Experimental models of Brain Metastases.- III Clinical presentation and symptom management.- 7 Clinical presentation.- 8 Epilepsy in CNS metastases.- 9 Safety, tolerability and use of steroids in CNS metastasis patients.- 10 Thrombo-embolic complications in BM patients.- IV Imaging.- 11 BM diagnosis and monitoring.- 12 Metabolic imaging of BM.- 13 Radiation necrosis and progression assessment and definition.- V Surgery.- 14 Modern surgical techniques.- 15 Quality of surgical resection assessment.- 16 Indications and emerging concepts in the era molecular biology.- VI Radiation Therapy.- 17 Stereotatic radiosurgery.- 18 WBRT.- 19 Combined radiation therapy and systemic treatment.- VII Systemic treatment.- 20 Lung .- 21 Breast.-. 22 Melanoma.- 23 Miscellaneous .- VIII Neurocognition and QoL.- IV Leptomeningeal disease.- X Prevention/Prohylaxis strategies .- XI Prognosis and prognostic models .- XII Clinical trials / Endpoints and outcome assessment.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of brain metastases, from the molecular biology aspects to therapeutic management and perspectives.

Due to the increasing incidence of these tumors and the urgent need to effectively control brain metastatic diseases in these patients, new therapeutic strategies have emerged in recent years. The volume discusses all these innovative approaches combined with new surgical techniques (fluorescence, functional mapping, integrated navigation), novel radiation therapy techniques (stereotactic radiosurgery) and new systemic treatment approaches such as targeted- and immunotherapy. These combination strategies represent a new therapeutic model in brain metastatic patients in which each medical practitioner (neurosurgeon, neurologist, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist) plays a pivotal role in defining the optimal treatment in a multidisciplinary approach.

Written by recognized experts in the field, this book is a valuable tool for neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, neuroradiologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, cognitive therapists, basic scientists and students working in the area of brain tumors.

Manmeet Ahluwalia is a Medical Oncology specialist at Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, USA. His specialties include Hematology, Oncology, Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology. He is subspecialized in the treatment of patients with brain tumors and brain metastases. He is the Director of the Brain Metastasis Research Program and Head of Operations in the BBTC of the Neurological Institute of Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Ahluwalia is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and has served in multiple leadership positions in various professional societies. His research focuses on the development of new therapies for patients with brain tumors and brain metastases. He has published over 160 peer-reviewed articles and received substantial awards.Philippe Metellus is Professor of Neurosurgery at the Clairval Hospital Center in Marseille, France. He is specialized in brain tumors and is the actual leader of the Glioma and the Brain Metastases program in France.

Prof. Metellus has authored or co-authored more than 150 peer-reviewed articles. He is also a reviewer for a number of international journals and is a member of multiple professional societies. Further, he is involved in a multi-disciplinary translational research program on gliomas and brain metasteses with the oncological transfer laboratory at the Aix-Marseille University. Since 2011, Prof Metellus has organized the " Annual Brain Metastases Research and Emerging Therapies Conference in Brain Metastasis " in Marseille, under the auspices of EORTC and with the support of French (ANOCEF and SNCF) and European (EANO and EANS) societies.

Riccardo Soffietti is Professor of Neurology and Neuro-Oncology at the University Hospital of Turin, Italy. He is specialized in Neuro-Oncology for the diagnosis and treatment of primary and secondary brain tumors. He was a Founding Member of the European Association of Neuro-Oncology (EANO) and its President from 2012 to 2014. Prof. Soffietti was President of the Italian Association of Neuro-Oncology (AINO) and is Chairperson of the Panel of Neuro-Oncology of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN). Prof. Soffietti has authored or co-authored over 170 peer-reviewed articles, 40 chapters in books and 8 books. He received major awards for coordinating a variety of clinical and translational research projects. He is also Reviewer, Editor or Member of the editorial boards of several international journals. He is a Member of Brain Tumor Group of the EORTC and of the International Group on Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO).