Introduction: Brain tumours
Susan Short
University College Hospital, London , UK
As all of us working in the field are aware, it is only in the last few years that new approaches to treating primary brain tumours have been identified that impact on prognosis. Recent data on combined chemoradiation in GBM has finally changed a deeply entrenched fatalistic attitude to this disease and has promoted new interest in the field of neuro-oncology. This is particularly so since, in parallel with landmark clinical studies, translational work has begun to give us an insight into aspects of tumour biology that may enable us to design individualised treatment regimes. Against this background, recent advances in radiotherapy technology, surgery and imaging may allow important advances in optimising treatment and improving the therapeutic ratio for many of our patients. This session will address current issues in the treatment of brain tumours and important biological questions including the role of tumour stem cells in determining treatment outcome.
