The morbidity and mortality of brain tumors. A perspective on recent advances in therapy.

This article reviews current morbidity and mortality statistics for the major classes of primary brain tumors including malignant astrocytoma, glioblastoma, low-grade astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma, meningioma, and other benign tumors and metastatic tumors. Innovations in therapy are discussed for surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and such newer areas as hyperthermia, immunotherapy, and phototherapy.