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Epilepsy and Brain Tumours and Antiepileptic Drugs

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Tumors of the Central Nervous system, Volume 3

Part of the book series: Tumors of the Central Nervous System ((TCNS,volume 3))

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Abstract

Seizures are a common occurrence in patients with brain tumours and can contribute to undesirable side effects that can greatly impact quality of life. In the vast majority of cases, seizures are the presenting clinical sign of the tumour, however, late seizures may occur in the evolution of the disease. The tumours type and their locations are determining factors that significantly influence seizure frequency: developmental tumours, low-grade gliomas and multiple metastases are at higher risk of seizures. According to guidelines, antiepileptic treatment should be started only in patients who have already experienced seizures. Major difficulties in patients with epilepsy and brain tumours include refractory seizures, potential interactions between anticonvulsants and chemotherapeutic agents and enhanced risks of toxicity, including cognitive deterioration. For seizure control, levetiracetam, valproic acid, and lamotrigine can each be considered as agents of first choice. First-line prescription of enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs, especially phenytoin, is not mandatory. Managing seizures in brain tumour patients may be challenging and requires comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Epilepsy Unit, Clinique Neurologique Paul Castaigne, Hopital de la Salpetriere, 75651, Paris cedex 13, France

    Sophie Dupont

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  1. Sophie Dupont
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Correspondence to Sophie Dupont .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Kean University, Department of Biological Sciences, Morris Avenue 1000, UNION, 07083, New Jersey, USA

    M.A. Hayat

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Dupont, S. (2011). Epilepsy and Brain Tumours and Antiepileptic Drugs. In: Hayat, M. (eds) Tumors of the Central Nervous system, Volume 3. Tumors of the Central Nervous System, vol 3. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1399-4_33

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1399-4_33

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-007-1398-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-007-1399-4

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