Childhood Central Nervous System Embryonal Tumors - Medulloblastoma, Pineoblastoma, Pineal Parenchymal Tumors, PNET, Medulloepithelioma, Ependymoblastoma

This up-to-date and comprehensive DVD-ROM disc provides a superb collection of authoritative documents from the nation's cancer experts on childhood central nervous system embryonal tumors, which includes medulloblastomas, pineoblastomas, pineal parenchymal tumors, PNET, medulloepitheliomas, and ependymoblastomas: causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, lab tests, treatment and management options, and ongoing clinical research. Every aspect of this cancer is thoroughly covered. For patients, families, and caregivers, practical information is provided in clearly written patient education documents, with valuable tips and helpful advice. For medical professionals, doctor references and texts have detailed technical information and clinical background material. Over twenty major types of pediatric cancers and tumors are fully covered, giving you the information and resources you need, including sources of help and support. 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. Utilizing the huge capacity of the DVD-ROM disc, disease-specific coverage is supplemented with a comprehensive multimedia cancer and health encyclopedia, featuring hundreds of reports, guides and audio podcasts on a wide variety of cancer and health issues of critical importance to cancer patients. There is extensive coverage of the broad subject of cancer and its prevention and treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, advanced treatments, managing side effects). Documents and material from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Medline, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) are included.