21st Century Pediatric Cancer Sourcebook: Childhood Central Nervous System Embryonal Tumors - Medulloblastoma, Pineoblastoma, Pineal Parenchymal Tumors, PNET, Medulloepithelioma, Ependymoblastoma

Authoritative information and practical advice from the nation's cancer experts about childhood central nervous system embryonal tumors, which includes medulloblastomas, pineoblastomas, pineal parenchymal tumors, PNET, medulloepitheliomas, and ependymoblastomas. Starting with the basics, and advancing to detailed patient-oriented and physician-quality information, this comprehensive compilation gives empowered patients, families, caregivers, nurses, and physicians the information they need to understand the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases. Conveniently organized contents include: Diagnostic Evaluation * Predictors of Outcome * Cellular Classification * Staging * Treatment Option Overview - Risk Stratification for Medulloblastoma * Surgery * Radiation Therapy * Surveillance Testing * Treatment Options for Newly Diagnosed Childhood Medulloblastoma * Treatment options under clinical evaluation * High Risk * Standard treatment options * Children Aged 3 Years and Younger * Treatment Options for Newly Diagnosed Pineoblastoma and Pineal P Children Older Than 3 Years * Children Aged 3 Years and Younger * Children Older Than 3 Years * Standard treatment options * Children Aged 3 Years and Younger * Current Clinical Trials * Treatment Options for Other Newly Diagnosed CNS Embryonal Tumors Current Clinical Trials * Recurrent Childhood CNS Embryonal Tumors Treatment Options Under Clinical Evaluation * Glossary * Late effects of treatment for childhood cancer * Pediatric supportive care. There are 6 different types of CNS embryonal tumors: Medulloblastomas are fast-growing tumors that form in brain cells in the cerebellum. The cerebellum is at the lower back part of the brain between the cerebrum and the brain stem. Pineal gland tumors - The pineal gland is a tiny organ in the center of the brain. The gland makes melatonin, a substance that helps control our sleep cycle. Childhood tumors of the pineal gland include the following: Pineoblastomas: Fast-growing tumors that form in cells of the pineal gland. Pineoblastomas are usually malignant. Pineal parenchymal tumors of intermediate differentiation: Slow-growing or fast-growing tumors that form in the pineal gland. Central nervous system primitive neuroectodermal tumors - Central nervous system primitive neuroectodermal tumors are fast-growing tumors that form in brain cells in the cerebrum. Medulloepithelioma - Medulloepitheliomas are fast-growing tumors that form in brain cells that line tubelike spaces in the brain and spinal cord. Ependymoblastoma - Ependymoblastomas are fast-growing tumors that form in brain cells lining the fluid -filled spaces in the brain and spinal cord, where it is often near the tailbone.

Extensive supplements, with over forty chapters gathered from our Cancer Toolkit series and other reports, cover a broad range of cancer and health care topics useful to cancer patients. This edition includes our exclusive Guide to Leading Medical Websites with updated links to 81 of the best sites for medical information, which let you quickly check for updates from the government and the best commercial portals, news sites, reference/textbook/non-commercial portals, and health organizations. Supplemental coverage includes: Clinical Trials Background Information, Workbook; In-Depth Program; Clinical Trials at NIH; How To Find A Cancer Treatment Trial; Taking Part in Cancer Treatment Research Studies; Access to Investigational Drugs; Taking Time: Support for People with Cancer; Facing Forward - Life After Cancer Treatment; When Someone You Love Is Being Treated For Cancer; Living Beyond Cancer: Finding a New Balance; Caring for the Caregiver; Young People With Cancer, A Handbook For Parents; When Cancer Returns; When Someone You Love Has Advanced Cancer / Support for Caregivers; Chemotherapy; Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects; Follow-up Care After Cancer Treatment