Brain tumours — a quick scan

Fast facts: brain tumours. 2nd ed.

Lauren E Abrey, Warren P Mason. Oxford: Health Press, 2011 (143 pp, $19.50). ISBN 9781905832873.

Brain tumours are the cause of the greatest loss of life-years per person from any cancer, but account for only 2% of all cancers. The first Australian Guidelines were published only in 2009. There is overwhelming consensus that brain tumours should be managed by a dedicated multidisciplinary team of neurosurgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, and nursing, social work rehabilitation and palliative care specialists.

It is not clear who needs Fast facts. The authors, a neurologist and medical oncologist from major oncology centres in North America, have written it in a style that is only suitable for clinicians. Specialists will not find much that is new. Allied health practitioners new to neuro-oncology and medical students may be interested in a concise précis of current practice for the modest price of $20 but may prefer the Australian Guidelines, which are more detailed and are available for free from the Cancer Council Australia website. A version of the guidelines has been written for patients and carers.

Fast facts discusses epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment and includes chapters on the more common types of brain tumours; however, rehabilitation, palliative care and supportive care are not covered. Brain tumour patients are rarely fit to drive, yet this important restriction is not mentioned.

Older people are frequently undertreated because of concerns about their prognosis. The authors recommend treatment strategies based on the fitness of the patient rather than their age.

The standard of illustration is good with many images of a wide range of clinical conditions. Brachytherapy, a disproved technique, is illustrated but radiosurgery is not. References are lacking but further reading is given at the end of each chapter, although some of the readings are over a decade old.

The management of brain tumours should not be in the hands of those who need to fill gaps in knowledge “fast”. It is a complex and difficult area best managed by expert multidisciplinary teams.