Pathology and Genetics of Tumours of the Nervous System

Abstract

This book provides an authoritative guide to the histological and genetic typing of human tumours of the nervous system. Prepared by 106 experts from 21 countries, the book draws on the latest research in neuro-oncology to characterize over 70 neoplasms and their variants. Particular attention is given to new understanding of histopathological features, typical genetic alterations, growth patterns, and associated clinical characteristics that aid the correct and precise classification of tumours. Some 2600 references are included. The book is organized according to sixteen groups of tumours, including familial tumour syndromes involving the nervous system. Each tumour is introduced with a concise definition and discussion of nomenclature, followed by a summary of what is known about its incidence, age and sex distribution, location, clinical signs and symptoms, pathological features, associated genetic alterations, and predictive factors. Distinctive features are further characterized through the inclusion of over 600 colour photographs and numerous MRIs, CT scans, and charts showing genetic alterations. The classification uses ICD-O codes from the third edition, issued in 2000. New disease entities covered include the chordoid glioma of the third ventricle and the cerebellar liponeurocytoma. The book is the first in a new series that uses an updated format to continue the international standards set by the WHO International Histological Classification of Tumours