This monograph
by an accomplished neuropathologist is centered largely on contemporary
difficulties encountered in the histopathologic diagnosis of brain tumors.
Particularly useful are his approaches to oligodendrogliomas and their
anaplastic variants; distinctions among mixed astro-oligodendrogliomas,
pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA), and juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma;
ependymoma and its anaplastic variant; differentiation of ganglioglioma from
oligodendroglioma, dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor, cortical dysplasias,
PXA, and juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma; and pitfalls in overinterpreting
anaplastic features in the latter tumor.
The author
also covers newly identified neoplasms: liponeurocytoma, rosette-forming
glioneuronal tumor, and chordoid glioma, as well as neoplasms of uncertain
nosology, derivation, and growth (astroblastoma, capillary hemangioblastoma,
gliomatosis cerebri, and chordoid glioma of the third ventricle). Other than
meningiomas, nonneuroectodermal tumors (ie, schwannomas and chordomas, among
others) are not discussed. Chapters on tumor cell migration and invasion,
apoptosis, the ubiquitin proteasome system, and angiogenesis round out this
volume.
Advantage is
taken of the evolving field of molecular genetics, intracellular signaling
mechanisms, and conventional immunohistochemical methods to arrive at a
histopathologic diagnosis. The details provided using these methods are a major
emphasis of this book and are of exceptional value.
All of the
microphotographs are in black and white; most of these are satisfactory. For
the uninitiated, however, some of the photographs might be challenging, because
there are no arrows depicting items mentioned in the legends. The latter
occasionally suffers from terseness, as at times it is unclear what is being
illustrated. The addition of normal controls, especially with
immunohistochemical photographs, would have been helpful. The photomicrographs
are occasionally complemented by MR imagings and CT scans.
This readable
monograph is highly recommended to surgical pathologists. It is likely to be of
lesser value and interest to the neuroradiologist. For neuroradiologists
interested in histopathology, especially with imaging correlations, other texts
might be more suitable. On the other hand, discussions on glioneurogenesis,
molecular genetics, growth factors, stem cells, and intracellular signaling
mechanisms involved in the neoplastic process, along with extensive
bibliographic annotations, should be of great interest and value to students of
neuro-oncology.
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