This comprehensive treatise on cutting edge tools and research provides a fascinating insight into the rapidly evolving field of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy. Accomplished international researchers and clinicians discuss the latest endoscopic advances in diverse areas including obesity and associated metabolic syndromes, management of peripancreatic fluid collections, endoluminal suturing techniques, fistula closure, management of Barrett's epithelium, cholangioscopy, chromoendoscopy, high resolution manometry and endoscopic ultrasonography. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: New Technologies and Changing Paradigms is a valuable resource on the evolving role of endoscopic management of gastrointestinal diseases and is a tremendous resource for gastroenterologists, endoscopists, GI surgeons, and medical residents.

In this book we have taken a comprehensive look at the subject of familial and hereditary gastric tumors. In particular, the aim of this novel editorial work is to propose the correct management of hereditary diffuse gastric cancer patients, focusing in particular on E-cadherin germline mutations, clinical criteria definition, genetic screening and molecular mechanisms, pathology and microscopic features, surgical treatment and clinical approach for asymptomatic mutation carriers. We also describe other inherited predispositions involving gastric carcinoma.

This book provides the reader with a multidisciplinary approach that is state of the art and reflects input from the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society and the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society. In particular, the text focuses on the pathophysiology of neuroendocrine tumors and includes a comprehensive review of the most recent developments in understanding the complex hormone and receptor signaling that is important for the future development of potent pharmacological treatments. The volume reviews the pathological grading and staging systems providing useful clinical information for the treating clinician as well as a useful reference for pathologists. The clinical management of neuroendocrine tumors is reviewed enabling the treating physician to understand the diagnostic approaches to differentiating the various types of neuroendocrine tumors. In addition, the treatments are reviewed in great detail and include novel radiological, surgical, and chemotherapeutic approaches. The reader will utilize this book as both a comprehensive and quick reference guide through the use of diagnostic and treatment algorithms. Written by international experts in their particular field of study, Management of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors will be of great value to medical oncologists, endocrinologists, gastroenterologists, pathologists, surgeons, and diagnostic and interventional radiologists.

Molecular Pathology of Neoplastic Gastrointestinal Diseases reviews the molecular aspects that characterize the spectrum of neoplastic conditions that affect the gastrointestinal tract, providing the reader with current up-to-date knowledge. For each disease entity chapters provide reviews on: the molecular basis of the individual disease molecular testing approaches currently available or in development for diagnosis or for gene target characterization for selective targeted therapies recommended guidelines for clinical application of molecular tests are included whenever available molecular testing for hereditary predisposition or disease risk animal models and cell culture models of disease

Lynch syndrome (LS) is the most common cause of inherited colorectal cancer, a disease with a high mortality rate. An estimated 37,000 of diagnosed colorectal cancer cases worldwide are attributed to Lynch syndrome each year. Intensive cancer screening, with early initiation and frequent follow-up, can reduce colorectal cancer incidence and mortality in LS patients. This book provides an up-to-date overview on the genetic and epigenetic basis of Lynch syndrome. It evaluates clinical features of the disease and critically comments on molecular tools available for identifying mutations responsible for Lynch syndrome; in addition the importance of functional assays that can help clarify the clinical nature of identified mutations is also discussed. The book also focuses on challenges in genetic counselling of at-risk individuals and discusses related ethical issues. The purpose of the book is to give a concise knowledge base for the broader scientific and medical community, including genetic counselors, in order to improve awareness on the potential impact that the diagnosis of LS has on treatment, management and surveillance of LS patients.

This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of common disorders affecting the pancreas and the bile duct. The book reviews the anatomy and laboratory test relevant to the pathophysiology of the disease, categorizes the symptoms under clinical scenarios like "incidental finding" or "painless jaundice", defines accuracy (or lack of) of the investigations used, and formulates a management plan as per evidence-based recommendations. The spectrum of diseases covered include commonly occurring benign conditions like pancreatitis, gall stone disease, bile duct strictures, and malignant diseases of the pancreas, gall bladder and the bile ducts. Also included are topics on motility disorders of the pancreaticobiliary system and pre-malignant conditions. Written by experts in the field, Pancreas and Biliary Diseases: A Point of Care Clinical Guide is a valuable reference resource for clinicians who need the latest evidence-based approach to manage these complex patients and answer questions the patient or the referring doctors may have regarding pancreas and biliary diseases.

This volume presents the most recent developments in diagnosis and treatment of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and those who continue to be refractory to conventional GERD therapies. The book delineates the role of newly developed endoscopic therapies in GERD and outlines the best candidates for surgical fundoplication. Topics as the risks associated with GERD, lifestyle modification in GERD and the role of H2RA and proton pump inhibitor therapy in treating reflux disease are also explored. Written by authorities in the field, Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is a concise yet comprehensive resource that is useful for primary care providers, gastroenterologists, pulmonologists, surgeons and ENT specialists.

This text provides a comprehensive review of ERCP and EUS and the clinical conditions for which they are employed. Presented in a case-based format with accompanying videos, it will serve as a valuable practical clinical resource for gastroenterologists with an interest in ERCP and EUS. The text highlights major techniques involved in ERCP, reviews complications and recent data on preventing post-ERCP pancreatitis, and discusses important issues in training in ERCP including use of endoscopic simulators and assessment of competency as emphasized in the new ACGME guidelines. For biliary diseases, new techniques for managing biliary stones, novel technologies for diagnosing indeterminate biliary strictures, and new devices for treating benign and malignant strictures are also highlighted. For pancreatic diseases, advances in minimally invasive endoscopic techniques for pancreatic stones and strictures, and management of the complications of pancreatitis are reviewed. Furthermore, ERCP is not limited by age, pregnancy or history of abdominal surgeries and special considerations particular to these patient populations are also discussed. The EUS chapters review the breadth of equipment available for performing EUS and EUS-FNA, detail the technique of performing EUS-FNA, and explore pertinent issues with training and assessing competency analogous to ERCP training. Valuable insights on the basics of cytopathology relevant to the endosonographer are summarized. The classic indication for EUS of staging luminal cancers is examined in detail while pancreaticobiliary indications are discussed highlighting newer adjunctive technologies including elastography and contrast-enhanced EUS. Although in its infancy, the brave new world of therapeutic EUS is explored with a focus on endoscopic necrosectomy, EUS-guided biliary and pancreatic access as well as the exciting possibilities of EUS-guided radiofrequency ablation and injection of anti-tumor agents. ERCP and EUS: A Case Based Approach will serve as a very useful resource for physicians who perform or refer patients for ERCP and EUS. It provides a concise yet comprehensive summary of the current status of ERCP and EUS that will help guide patient management and stimulate clinical research.

The Clinician's Guide to Swallowing Fluoroscopy is a comprehensive resource for all dysphagia clinicians. This beautifully-illustrated text is intended for SLP, ENT, radiology, GI, and rehabilitation specialists interested in swallowing and addresses the need for an up-to-date, all-inclusive reference. Topics covered include radiation safety and protection, fluoroscopic oral, pharygeal, and esophageal phase protocols and abnormalities, and objective measures of timing and displacement.

This Recent Results in Cancer Research volume provides an up-to-date overview of the multidisciplinary management of locally confined rectal cancer as well as colorectal cancer with synchronous resectable liver metastases. The contents comprise the majority of the invited contributions from the Second St. Gallen EORTC Gastrointestinal Cancer Conference, held on 6-8 March 2014 in St. Gallen, Switzerland. Written by some of the world’s leading experts in the imaging, endoscopy, pathology, molecular biology, surgery, radiotherapy and medical oncology of rectal cancer and liver metastases, the chapters offer a comprehensive view on the latest recommendations in diagnosis and multidisciplinary treatment. Every clinician involved in the care of patients with rectal cancer will find this book interesting and helpful.

Constipation: A Practical Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment serves as an unmet resource for physicians and other health care providers, including trainees and students, who see patients with constipation. The text reviews pathophysiologic mechanisms and details evaluation and management strategies. The volume also enables the reader to identify epidemiologic factors and quality of life parameters for patients with constipation, discuss differences in pathophysiologic mechanisms for different etiologies of constipation, recognize primary causes of constipation, and assess special considerations related to the symptom of constipation including presentations in the elderly, in pregnant women, in patients with systemic diseases, and patients with a history of abuse. Written by thought leaders and recognized experts in gastrointestinal motility and medical education, Constipation: A Practical Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment is of great value and utility for gastroenterologists, primary care physicians, gynecologists, nurse practitioners, physician's assistants, as well as fellows and residents.

The majority of the obese population still does not take advantage of the available surgical possibilities. Clinical research should be oriented towards less invasive procedures that could be accepted by the mainstream. In 2012, most non-invasive bariatric techniques are still not standardized or sufficiently assessed, but they are being constantly upgraded. The purpose of this book is to spark a discussion between experts from around the world, and to gather relevant information on new technologies that will make it possible to enlarge the vision of bariatric care to a growing number of morbid obese and non-morbid obese patients.

This book, written by expert surgeons, offers a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of all aspects of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Coverage includes the indications for surgery, anesthesia, surgical technique, and the prevention and management of complications, with extensive reference to the latest clinical evidence and assessment of the benefits of the laparoscopic approach, for example in terms of outcomes and day surgery. New technologies, including SILS, NOTES, robotic surgery, and miniaturized instruments, are reviewed. The learning curve and training are also extensively discussed, and an individual chapter is devoted to the views of international experts in the field. Readers will find the book to be an ideal guide to this gold standard technique, which continues to evolve some 20 years after the National Institutes of Health Consensus Conference first published recommendations regarding indications for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Single Incision Laparoscopic and Transanal Colorectal Surgery provide a comprehensive and state-of-the art review of single incision laparoscopic and transanal colorectal surgery. The text concentrates on surgical techniques and tricks in single incision laparoscopic and transanal surgery with detailed descriptions of the techniques, as well as indications and limitations of the procedures. The newly available evidence on these procedures is emphasized and all procedures are richly illustrated with diagrams and photos. Written by experts in their fields, Single Incision Laparoscopic and Transanal Colorectal Surgery is valuable resource for general surgeons, colon and rectal surgeons, laparoscopic GI surgeons, surgical residents and fellows in training interested in these two rapidly developing fields in colorectal surgery.

This volume provides a comprehensive summary of the field, with expert recommendations on prediction and management. It details the recent consensus guidelines (2012) updating the definition of pancreatitis and its complications. The text thoughtfully summarizes the current prediction models for severe acute pancreatitis, including laboratory, clinical and imaging parameters. It also highlights the relative advantages and disadvantages of several of these models. Evidenced-based guidelines into medical and surgical management of both the hospitalized and discharged patient are described, with recommendations from expert authors pertaining to various clinical situations. Finally, complications of acute pancreatitis and their management, including the use of cutting-edge minimally-invasive therapies, is discussed. Prediction and Management of Severe Acute Pancreatitis will serve as the fundamental source for those interested in and treating this disease, including practicing gastroenterologists, surgeons, radiologists, intensivists, hospitalists and pathologists.

Variceal Hemorrhage provides an update of the evidence concerning several aspects of variceal hemorrhage. The book features new information on natural history, diagnosis of esophageal varices, assessment of the risk of bleeding and identification of high risk groups and patients who may benefit or be harmed from different treatments. The volume also presents a critical analysis of the different steps in the management of acute variceal bleeding. Authored by the most prominent world experts in their areas of expertise, Variceal Hemorrhage serves as a very useful reference for gastroenterologists, GI surgeons, residents in internal medicine and physicians dealing with and interested in the different aspects of this severe medical emergency.

This book, besides reviewing basic and clinical aspects of Behcet's disease, covers the latest findings, including genetic studies and treatment with biologics for the disease. Although the cause of Behcet's disease is still unknown, it is well known that genetic factors, such as HLA-B51, are involved in its development. Recently, novel susceptibility loci including IL10, IL23R-IL12RB2, and endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 have been identified, providing new insights into the pathogenesis of the disease. In addition to basic research, the beneficial efficacy of anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibodies has also been suggested for not only uveitis associated with the disease but also other subtypes of the disease such as entero-, vasculo-, and neuro- Behcet's disease. Behcet's Disease: From Genetics to Therapies provides essential information both for basic researchers working in the fields of immunology, inflammation, and genetics, and for clinical physicians who are interested in Behcet's disease, such as ophthalmologists, rheumatologists, dermatologists, gastroenterologists, neurologists, and vascular surgeons.

It's often assumed that criminologists know a great deal about violent offenders, but in fact, there is little consensus about what distinguishes them from those who commit less serious crimes. There is even less agreement about whether violent offenders can be distinguished from chronic, nonviolent offenders at all. The challenging question remains: why do some individuals commit violent offenses while so many others restrict themselves to nonviolent ones? Thugs and Thieves argues that understanding the differential etiology of violence constitutes a fundamental chasm in the criminological literature. In the introductory chapters, the authors lay out the important theoretical and methodological deficiencies that have obstructed the production of a clear set of findings to answer this question. The authors then share a highly nuanced interpretation of child development research, focused on outlining important features of early life likely to be important in the etiology of serious physical aggression and violence. They also discuss criminal motivation and contextual factors in detail. Together, these lay the foundation for the selection of "good prospects" for predicting violent offending. Separate chapters are devoted to intelligence and executive function; academic achievement and other school factors; parental attachment; parental warmth and rejection; child abuse; poverty; communities; and substance abuse. Each chapter provides a comprehensive and systematic review of the existing evidence on the topic at hand through the "differential etiology" lens, to restructure what we already know from the empirical literature. As such, the book provides a new way forward for understanding this important issue and also serves as a platform for generating hypothesis tests, directing future research, and better designing anti-violence policy. Thugs and Thieves will be of interest to criminologists, psychologists, sociologists, students, policy makers, lawmakers, and readers interested in violence and aggression.

This Recent Results in Cancer Research volume contains the majority of the invited expert contributions from the First St. Gallen EORTC Gastrointestinal Cancer Conference, held on 22-24 March 2012 in St. Gallen, Switzerland. Written by some of the world's leading experts in the field, the volume constitutes a comprehensive update on recent developments in the imaging, molecular biology, pathology, and multidisciplinary management of early cancer of the gastrointestinal tract. The latest recommendations regarding diagnosis and treatment are provided, and areas of consensus and controversy, identified. While the principal focus is on esophageal and gastric cancer, advances in the treatment of colorectal and pancreatic cancer are also discussed in some detail. This book will be of interest to every clinician involved in the care of patients with gastrointestinal malignancies.

The aim of this book is to present a unique compilation of lectures given by international speakers at the Hammersmith Hospital during the recent Meetings in Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary and Transplantation. New therapeutical approaches, advances in oncology and in diagnostic imaging, which reduce the need for invasive techniques and reach an improvement in survival and quality of life in cancer, are considered in this book. Modern literature has been reviewed with special reference to articles of general interest. In the clinical management of patients with liver, bile duct and pancreas diseases, it is important to assess the degree of disturbance and to diagnose the causative insult, and therefore clinical and laboratory methods of assessing each of these pathologies are of high interest. This version is an up-to-date account of diseases of the liver, biliary tract and pancreas, including transplantation, which we trust will be of value for surgeons, physicians and pathologists and also a reference book for medical students.

Identification of cancer risk factors and potential prevention strategies have been some of the most important medical and research contributions to the improvement of public health in the past half-century (Steele 2003). Und- standing the role of lifestyle, exposure to endogenous factors and exogenous environmental factors, and individual genetic and epigenetic variability have contributed significantly to this effort. Cancer prevention strategies have been developed based on results of epidemiologic, preclinical, and clinical studies that have generated clues for identifying risk factors that may be modulated by changes in lifestyle, such as smoking cessation or dietary modification (Greenwald 2002a). In addition, significant progress in medical interventions involving chemoprevention-a pharmacological approach to intervention that aims to prevent, arrest, or reverse either the initiation phase of carcinogenesis or the progression of premalignant cells-is beg- ning to pay dividends in reducing risks associated with cancer. Emerging technologies, identification of biomarkers of risk, and advances in genetics research also are finding applications in chemoprevention research that p- mise to speed the acquisition of knowledge on the molecular and cellular - fects of chemopreventive agents. 2 Lifestyle Approaches Population studies from the 1950s through the early 1980s provided c- pelling evidence that modifiable lifestyle choices can either increase or - crease cancer risk. For example, several landmark epidemiologic studies in the 1950s showed a clear association between smoking and lung cancer (Wynder and Graham 1950; Levin et al. 1950). In 1964, the U. S.

This book investigates intraperitoneal chemotherapy in a variety of complex and interesting ways. The volume details major clinical trails to date. Authors also examine regional approaches to therapy, systemic therapy, and the use of carboplatin and paclitaxel as the standard treatment for women with stages III and IV ovarian cancer. The future direction of intraperitoneal chemotherapy both normothermic and hyperthermic is also covered.

The prevention of colorectal cancer is a subject of increasing medical importance, and there have been a number of promising recent developments. This book examines in detail important aspects of the current status and future prospects for chemoprevention of colorectal tumors. Research into the mechanisms that lead from early colorectal adenoma to colorectal cancer is discussed. The role and modes of action of available drugs such as celecoxib and sulindac are described, and recent data from aspirin trials are analyzed. In addition, the possible impact of nutritional agents with anti-inflammatory properties is considered, and strategies applicable in those with a high level of genetic risk are evaluated. An important feature of the book is its holistic perspective, making it relevant for gastroenterologists, internists, general practitioners, oncologists, colorectal and gastroenterological surgeons, and public health practitioners.

Research into gastrointestinal motility has received renewed interest in part due to recent advances in the techniques for measuring the structure and function of gastrointestinal cells, tissue and organs. The integration of this wealth of data into biophysically based computation models can aid in interpretation of experimental and clinical measurements and the refinement of measurement techniques. The contents of this book span multiple scales - from cell, tissue, organ, to whole body and is divided into four broad sections covering: i) gastrointestinal cellular activity and tissue structure; (ii) techniques for measuring, analyzing and visualizing high-resolution extra-cellular recordings; (iii) methods for sensing gastroelectrical activity using non-invasive bio-electro-magnetic fields and for modulating the underlying gastric electrical activity and finally (iv) methods for assessing manometric and videographic motility patterns and the application of these data for predicting the flow and mixing behavior of luminal contents by using computational fluid dynamic techniques. This book aims to provide both an overview of historical and existing research techniques as well as to highlight future directions and challenges for the community as a whole. It will be suitable for clinicians to understand the cellular and biophysical underpinnings of gastric emptying, gastroenterologists, surgeons, bioengineers and all scientists with interests in gastrointestinal motility research.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common fatal malignan cies of mankind. Up to a few decades ago it was looked upon as a cancer which aroused mainly academic concern but relatively little clinical interest, because its therapy and prognosis had a most un favorable outlook. Indeed, it was mostly recognized only at autopsy. Recently this pessimism has radically changed and is disappearing to a rapidly accelerating degree. Many of the scientific contributions at this change in outlook are the result of research in the Far East, first, Japan and then gradually extending to its neighbors. The introduction of experimental hepatocarcinogens by Yoshida more than 50 years ago may have been one of the first important steps. Hepatocellular car cinoma shows a characteristic geographical distribution. With the highest incidence in China, Taiwan, Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, followed by southern and eastern Europe, while generally the incidence is rather low in western and northern Europe and North and South America.