Primary Tumors of the Central Nervous System

Central nervous system tumors are commonly associated with profound and worrisome symptoms. Radiotherapy plays an important role in the care of most patients who are diagnosed with primary central nervous system tumors. In patients who have recurrent tumor following prior surgery and radiotherapy, with or without chemotherapy, various palliative approaches, including re-irradiation, are being explored to effectively control tumor and maximize quality of life while minimizing toxicity from retreatment. Different radiation delivery techniques have been evaluated including fractionated 3D-conformal, intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), radiosurgery (SRS), and hypofractionated stereotactic radiation therapy (hFSRT). The chapter includes acute and late side effects of radiotherapy, adjuvant treatment modalities, and radioimmunotherapy (RIT) that aims to utilize radioactive isotopes coupled to antibodies in order to increase tumor-specific cell kill.