With brain tumors the most common solid tumors of childhood as well as the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in children, this third volume of the Springer series on pediatric cancer, focused on diagnosing, treating, and assessing the future course of malignant brain neoplasms in the young, is a core element of the coverage. Along with a general introduction to the principles involved, the material includes vital research on molecular genetics, a major contribution to the molecular characterization of solid tumors which it is hoped will define new biomarkers of disease and identify molecular pathways. Now visible as a promising goal at the end of this road are targets for new therapies in a field so often marked by impotence and tragedy. This research featuresthe application of molecular genetics in combating atypical teratoid/rhabdoidtumor (AT/RT), a highly aggressive embryonal CNS tumor that is among the mostcommon malignant neoplasms in children, with a peak occurrence in infants less than three years old.Contributors also examine the reasons for the common misdiagnosis of AT/RT tumors as other CNS tumors and help resolve the issues with details of an abnormality in the genetics of AT/RTs that is unique to this CNS type, the INII gene on chromosome 22q11. The presence of this gene as well as that of SMARCB1 is discussed. In addition to such leading-edge topics, the volume includes presentations of present, and coming therapies. It explains AT/RT's dissemination to the cerebral fluid, the molecular mechanisms underlyingthe progression of medulloblastoma, and the importance of gamma knife radiosurgery during multimodality management of medulloblastoma/PNET tumors. Other topics include using magnetic resonance imaging to diagnose retinoblastoma, mapping the effects of radiotherapy in low-grade glioma in children, research on alterations in cell-cycle.
- ISBN: 978-94-007-4527-8
- Editorial: Springer
- Encuadernacion: Cartoné
- Fecha Publicación: 26/07/2012
- Nº Volúmenes: 1
- Idioma: Inglés