Cancer-associated plexopathy
Introduction Despite the development of new therapies and related neurological complications, the two main considerations in patients with a history of cancer presenting with a brachial or lumbar plexopathy is…
Approach to patients with the neoplasms associated with neurofibromatosis type 1, neurofibromatosis type 2, and schwannomatosis
Introduction Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), and schwannomatosis (SWN) are rare tumor suppressor conditions with estimated incidences of 1:3,000, 1:60,000, and 1:100,000, respectively. Although all three conditions…
Perineural spread of cancer
Introduction Perineural invasion (PNI) refers to a rare type of contiguous spread of neoplastic cells from their primary site along the potential space between or beneath the layers of perineurium….
Paraneoplastic neurological disorder syndromes
Introduction Paraneoplastic neurological disorder (PND) syndromes are immune-mediated disorders that affect the central, peripheral, or autonomic nervous system in the setting of a cancer. These disorders are not caused by…
Neurologic complications of cancer
Introduction to medical complications of brain tumors Patients with brain tumors are at risk of many complications from their cancer. Complications may result from direct effects of the tumor itself…
Approach to the patient with tuberous sclerosis
Introduction Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant neurocutaneous condition characterized by a predisposition to hamartomas in the brain, heart, kidney, skin, eye, and other organs. TSC is the…
Approach to von Hippel Lindau, Cowden disease, and other inherited conditions
Introduction Although neurofibromatosis and tuberous sclerosis comprise some of the most common inherited tumor syndromes in neuro-oncology, clinicians will encounter patients with other, less common syndromes who could present with…
Approach to the patient with leptomeningeal metastases
Introduction Leptomeningeal spread occurs in both solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Leptomeningeal disease (LMD) for all primary cancer types portends a very poor prognosis, with survival measured in weeks if…
Approach to a patient with brain metastasis
Introduction Brain metastases are a frequent occurrence in patients with solid malignancies. Up to 40% of patients with solid tumors will develop brain metastases at some point in their disease…
Approach to the patient with CNS lymphoma
Introduction Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is defined as lymphoma confined to the central nervous system (CNS) at presentation. By contrast, secondary CNS lymphoma represents a systemic lymphoma (i.e.,…
