Brain cancer in a residential area bordering on an oil refinery.

Both in response to community concerns about brain cancer related to an oil refinery and in order to more fully understand the etiology of primary site brain cancer (glioma), a highly focused cancer cluster investigation was conducted. The components included: (1) a literature review of occupational exposures in the petroleum refining and petrochemical industries, (2) comparisons between observed and expected cases, (3) comparisons between mean age at diagnosis and median survival time and (4) interviews concerning exposures of cases. Evidence from the literature review revealed little, if any, effect of petroleum refinery or petrochemical exposure on the risk for brain cancer.

Metastatic testicular cancer presenting as spinal cord compression: report of two cases.

Background: Testicular cancers are heterogenous neoplasms often found in young adults. They tend to metastasize to the chest, retroperitoneum, or neck, but rarely to the long bones or skeleton. However, they can cause neurologic compromise and should be considered in young male patients who present with symptoms of a spine lesion and no known primary cancer.

A multi-institutional analysis of complication outcomes after arteriovenous malformation radiosurgery.

Purpose: To better understand radiation complications of arteriovenous malformation (AVM) radiosurgery and factors affecting their resolution.

Methods And Materials: AVM patients (102/1255) who developed neurological sequelae after radiosurgery were studied. The median AVM marginal dose (Dmin) was 19 Gy (range: 10-35).

Gliomatosis cerebri. Results with radiation therapy.

Background: This review was undertaken to determine the outcome for patients diagnosed in the modern era and treated with radiation therapy.

Methods: Using the tumor registries of six institutions in a large metropolitan area, cases of gliomatosis were identified and retrospectively reviewed.

Results: The clinical course for each patient was unique.

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery in the Treatment of Brain Tumors.

Stereotactic radiosurgery with the Gamma Knife produces highly localized radiobiologic effects. Typical doses range from 12 to 25 Gy at the target periphery, with higher doses within the target. Treatment generally is well tolerated.