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History of Neuro-Oncology: Towards a New Frontier

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Principles of Neuro-Oncology

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Abstract

Neuro-Oncology is defined as the study of primary and metastatic tumors of the central and peripheral nervous systems. The field of neuro-oncology can be divided into three general areas, based on location: (1) Brain (intra-axial tumors), (2) Skull base (extra-axial tumors), and (3) Spine tumors. From imaging modalities to radio- and chemo-therapeutics to optical technology, treatment and management of these tumors have greatly advanced, especially over the last hundred years. Advances in neuroimaging, in particular, have provided us with a better understanding of brain anatomy and its interaction with tumors, especially with relation to bone, cortex, vessels and white matter tracts. Since the time of Harvey Cushing, surgical management of CNS tumors have greatly improved with refinement in microsurgical techniques, optical technology (ie. loupes, stereoscopic microscopy, endoscope, and exoscope), and complementary treatment paradigms (ie. radiotherapy, chemotherapy, radiopharmaceuticals, and molecular therapies). As such, treatment of CNS tumors is complex and currently stands as a multidisciplinary endeavor, all in an effort to provide the best treatment for the patient. The historical contributions that have paved the way for our current understanding of neuro-oncological disease processes should not be overlooked. This chapter will briefly focus on the role scientists and physician-surgeons alike, have had in shaping neuro-oncology as a field.

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Acknowledgement

All this information has motivated us to write this book and a special thank you to Springer-Verlag editorial group, who has accepted to publish our experience, adding, of course, updated information in neuro-oncology, including biological biomarkers that are used for therapeutic decisions, the immunotherapy avatars, the genetic therapy and new techniques for administration of intrathecal or interstitial chemotherapy. Furthermore, we cite innovative robotic surgery techniques, as well as awake brain surgery, active surveillance and complementary treatment.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Investigation, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología-México, Mexico City, Mexico

    Jaime G. de la Garza-Salazar

  2. Department of Pathology, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología-México, Mexico City, Mexico

    Paula Juarez-Sánchez

  3. Department of Medical Oncology, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología-México, Mexico City, Mexico

    Oscar Arrieta-Rodríguez

  4. Department of Neurosurgery, Aurora Neuroscience Innovation Institute, Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    Srikant S. Chakravarthi & Alejandro Monroy-Sosa

  5. Skull Base and Cerebrovascular Laboratory, Advocate Aurora Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    Srikant S. Chakravarthi & Alejandro Monroy-Sosa

Authors
  1. Jaime G. de la Garza-Salazar
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  2. Paula Juarez-Sánchez
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  3. Oscar Arrieta-Rodríguez
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  4. Srikant S. Chakravarthi
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  5. Alejandro Monroy-Sosa
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Aurora Neuroscience Innovation Institute, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    Alejandro Monroy-Sosa

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, Aurora Neuroscience Innovation Institute, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    Srikant S. Chakravarthi

  3. Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Mexico City, Mexico

    Jaime G. de la Garza-Salazar

  4. Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Mexico City, Mexico

    Abelardo Meneses Garcia

  5. Neeka Health, LLC, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    Amin B. Kassam

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de la Garza-Salazar, J.G., Juarez-Sánchez, P., Arrieta-Rodríguez, O., Chakravarthi, S.S., Monroy-Sosa, A. (2021). History of Neuro-Oncology: Towards a New Frontier. In: Monroy-Sosa, A., Chakravarthi, S.S., de la Garza-Salazar, J.G., Meneses Garcia, A., Kassam, A.B. (eds) Principles of Neuro-Oncology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-54879-7_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-54879-7_1

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