Chapter 13 - Tumors of the nervous system

Abstract

Tumors of the nervous system are a heterogenous group of rare diseases that includes primary neoplasms of the brain and spinal cord, peripheral nervous system tumors, meningeal tumors, autonomic nervous system tumors, and metastatic cancer. Central nervous system neoplasms may cause symptoms by local invasion of the brain or spinal cord, or symptoms may arise from increased intracranial pressure or obstruction of the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Tumors of the peripheral nervous system cause symptoms due to nerve invasion or compression. Treatment of these neoplasms is challenging because of the involvement of structures that are vital to life and necessary for normal neurological function. A greater understanding of the molecular and genetic mutations that drive tumor growth, the interplay of the tumor and microenvironment within the nervous system, and the immune response to cancer will hopefully lead to more effective, less toxic, and more personalized treatments.