Journal of Brain Tumors & Neurooncology
Open Access

Brain Tumors: Epidemiology and Current Trends in Treatment

¹Department of Pathology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA

²Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA

³Department of Neurological Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA

⁴Department of Neurological Surgery, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA, USA

⁵Department of Radiology, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA, USA

⁶The University of Queensland School of Medicine, Ochsner Clinical School, New Orleans, LA, USA

*Corresponding Author:

Marcus L. Ware
Department of Neurological Surgery
Ochsner Clinic Foundation
1514 Jefferson Hwy., New Orleans
LA 70121, USA
Tel: (504) 842-4033
E-mail: [email protected]

Received date: September 20, 2015; Accepted date: September 26, 2015; Published date: September 30, 2015

Citation: Strong MJ, Garces J, Vera JC, Mathkour M, Emerson N, et al. (2015) Brain Tumors: Epidemiology and Current Trends in Treatment. Brain Tumors Neurooncol 1:102. doi: 10.4172/2475-3203.1000102

Copyright: © 2015 Strong MJ, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited

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Background: Brain tumors represent a group of neoplasms arising from brain tissue, each with their own unique biology, prognosis, and treatment. Included in this group are neoplasms not arising from brain parenchyma, which encompass meningiomas, lymphomas, and metastatic disease from other primary sources (often referred to as secondary brain tumors). Despite the diverse group of neoplasms represented, most intracranial tumors follow similar clinical presentations and diagnostic workups.

Methods: This review focuses on primary and secondary brain tumor epidemiology, imaging, and treatment modalities. In addition, we will highlight molecular genetic advances in the field that will help shape future treatment approaches.

Results: Although tumors affecting the Central Nervous System (CNS) are relatively uncommon, they are often very difficult to treat and cause disproportionate morbidity and mortality. Many of these neoplasms are universally fatal and our ability to treat both benign and malignant tumors is still in its infancy. Our lack of effective treatment leaves many of our patients with few options.

Conclusions: The combination of poor prognosis and lack of therapeutic options make further innovation and investigation a priority to improve clinical outcomes for patients suffering from CNS malignancies.