Current molecular understanding of estrogen action has greatly profited from advances in molecular cell biology. These advances, and their implications for clinical use, were discussed by leading researchers from industry and academia during an international symposium held in Berlin, 1-3 March 2006 and are featured in this volume.

Anovulation - one of the most common causes of infertility - is here given a thorough review, with classification of the different subtypes, how they are diagnosed, how they are treated, and the possible complications and outcomes involved. This is a comprehensive evidence-based summary from an international expert team, with guidelines for daily practice clearly stated and summarized for your convenience.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a classic female infertility condition affecting an estimated 6-10% of all women, many of whom are unaware of the problem. A disease that affects women from adolescence to menopause, PCOS is the single most common endrocrinologic abnormality affecting women. This book is an edited collection of writings that comprehensively covers the disease, from diagnosis and epidemiology of PCOS to clinical evaluation.

This volume contains an advanced level discussion on the appropriateness of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in modern postmenopausal women on the basis of evidence provided by recent epidemiological studies. It addresses all aspects of benefits and risks associated with HRT. It focuses, however, on cancer risk and on risk of breast cancer in particular. The book advocates further epidemiological studies which incorporate pathobiological assessments.

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.

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the most common intrauterine transmitted viral infection, with a tremendous impact on fetuses and newborns. In this book the history of this disease, its pathophysiological background, epidemiology and symptoms, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, will be discussed. Since economic aspects are gaining more and more importance in health politics, one chapter is dedicated to this issue in the context of congenital CMV infection. The content is based on the latest scientific findings and written in an understandable manner, allowing persons not working in the field of congenital CMV to also profit from it. Thus, this book is of interest for medical doctors, nurses, midwives, economists, but also for men and women who want to inform themselves about this topic.

Novel Approaches into the Origins of Neurodevelopmental Disorders: The Fetal Physiology Foundation Over the past two decades, autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder that is defined by behavior and was once believed to be rare, became recognized in increasing numbers of children and recently received distinction as an "epidemic" [1]. While numbers of affected children have steadily increased, our knowledge is still ins- ficient to explain autism's diverse causes and broad range of presentations. Despite remarkable progress in research, available medical diagnostic testing applies only to a small minority of affected children. Thus, scientifically based explanations with which physicians can diagnose and treat the majority of children with autism and advise their parents are quite limited. Our society and scientific community were unprepared for the rise in autism, which explains our present inability to understand most of its causes. Researchers in neurodevelopmental disorders have long been aware of other disorders that, despite extensive efforts, have not yielded clear genetic or environmental origins, and autism has become symbolic of the need for new approaches to research into these complex conditions. Although autism has captured our attention in recent years, the prevalence of other neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention de- cit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder, among others, also has been increasing [2-4].

Hormone Receptors in Breast Cancer provides an up-to-date resource of the role of hormone receptors in breast cancer written in depth for both the basic molecular academic researcher and translational scientist. Advances in basic science of molecular endocrinology have undoubtedly been translated into clinical practice, and clinicians caring for this disease need to be knowledgeable about these developments. The molecular basis of hormone action has been elucidated, and the relative significance of the different estrogen and progesterone receptor isoforms has been explored. This explosion of information has lead to exciting new areas of gene specific targeting of the disease, and breast cancer prevention. Paradigm shifts in treatment options and sequencing have recently occurred in breast cancer management, necessitating close cooperation and communication between translational scientists and physicians. This book is focused on providing this communication.

This book offers a progress report on efforts to meet the challenges faced by ovarian cancer patients and their doctors. It provides a current perspective on therapeutic developments as a partnership between laboratory-based and clinical-based researchers.

The impetus for this book came from the recent appearance of single specialty books pertaining to reoperative surgery on various organs in the pelvis, as well as from the recognition that several different disciplines are involved with the challenges of reoperative pelvic surgery. Surgeons often encounter challenging dilemmas involving organ systems that have historically been attended to by surgeonsrepresentingcloselyrelatedbut distinctspecialtyareas. Withincreasing sophisticationand knowledge about management of anatomically adjacent organs by the specialties of gynecologic oncology, gynecology, urology, and colon and rectal surgery, as well as the emergence of specialty training programs in urogynecology and pelvic floor disorders, we thought it appropriate and timely to create a textbook acknowledging this increasing knowledge and interspecialty collaboration. To this end,where appropriate, we haveincluded collaborative authors fromeach of the specialties, any ofwhommaybecalledupontoaddressaparticularanatomicarea. Itseemsinevitablethatsituations willariseinwhichthecollaborativeexpertiseofseveralseparatespecialtiesmayconvergetoprovide surgeons the benefit of the combined thought processes that would prove invaluable when such difficult problems are encountered. With this in mind, the editors, from the fields of gynecologic oncology, urology, and colon and rectal surgery, identified experts in theirown fields who could bestcontribute to the management of specific problem areas. For example, since reoperations for endometriosis may involve uterus, adnexae, ovaries, or the colorectum, the chapter concerning this condition has been coauthored by specialists in colorectal surgery and gynecologic oncology. We have been fortunate to find experts who have collaborated to bring available evidence-based medicine, best demonstrated practices, and personal experience to their contributions.

The prevalence of hypertension is almost three times as high as that of diabetes mellitus type 2, with both conditions being major risk factors for stroke, ischemic heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias, and heart failure. The exact prevalence of hypertension related to hormonal derangements (endocrine hypertension) is not known but estimated to affect less than 15% of hypertensive patients. Recent scientific discoveries have increased the understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of hypertension. In Endocrine Hypertension, a renowned panel of experts provides a comprehensive, state-of-the-art overview of this disorder, discussing when to assign an endocrine cause in one of many conditions that may present with hypertension. The first part of Endocrine Hypertension is dedicated to adrenal causes. The second part of the volume concerns potential nonadrenal causes of hypertension, such as growth hormone excess or deficiency, primary hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D deficiency, testosterone deficiency, insulin resistance, obesity-associated hypertension, and the role of central mineralocorticoid receptors and cardiovascular disease. An important contribution to the literature, Endocrine Hypertension is an indispensable reference not only for endocrinologists, diabetologists, and adrenal investigators, but also for translational scientists and clinicians from cardiology, internal medicine, pediatrics, family medicine, geriatrics, urology, and reproductive medicine / gynecology.

As research in neuroscience increasingly points to the unparalleled influence of the first 1000 days of life from conception to two years of age in determining the baby's life trajectory, the need for high-quality early parenting education delivered by knowledgeable and dedicated professionals becomes ever more apparent. This book describes the global aims of early parenting education. It identifies the key areas that research suggests are important: building a relationship with the unborn and newborn baby; preparing for labour and birth; supporting parents' mental health; protecting the couple relationship across the transition to parenthood; and education for special groups such as same-sex couples, women with fear of birth, prisoners, military wives and parents from black and minority ethnic backgrounds. All practitioners providing early parenting programmes - midwives, health visitors, family link workers, children's centre staff and voluntary sector teachers - will gain new ideas for their practice in this book. Students taking midwifery and early childhood courses will find much to support their studies. Ultimately, the book provides inspiration for all those who are committed to the role of parenting education in reducing social inequalities.

This monograph has been written in the hope that it will prove of value to medical students and clinicians, to Honours undergradu ates in appropriate branches of the natural sciences, and to repro ductive biologists in general. It would be pleasing if the text also caught the attention of veterinary undergraduates, since there is much information bearing on reproduction in domestic animals. First and foremost, however, the intended audience is a medical one, for scientific studies of human reproduction have been cata lyzed by the intense interest in procedures of fertilization in vitro. Some would judge that this very activity has narrowed our view of physiological events occurring within the Fallopian tubes. The pre sent work may therefore serve as a useful counterbalance to the overwhelming series of publications on procedures of in vitro fer tilization, and offer opportunities to those in the clinical field for extending their knowledge of the scientific background to much of the current work.

There is ample opportunity and scope for gynaecology in prim ary care in general practice. Many conditions and problems can be managed successfully in this context without referral to hos pital and specialist care. The first aim of this book is to deal with common problems that are referred for consultant opinion and specialist management to the average District General Hospital by analysing problems of presentation and diagnosis on a symptom-orientated basis. Selection for primary care management as opposed to hospital referral is then considered, following which the wide range of available treatment is evaluated with particular emphasis on the maximum use of up-to-date but proven regimes. The full use of the expertise of the practitioner is highlighted throughout. The second aim is to encourage the practice of primary care gynaecology and to help those doctors who have a special in terest in the subject, while hopefully stimulating others to de velop a similar one. With this in mind, the approach to the problems is realistic and often dogmatic while opportunities for individual management and for practical procedures are kept to the forefront.

Breast Cancer and Gynecological Cancer Rehabilitation provides clinicians with a concise and accessible resource covering the holistic rehabilitation of breast cancer patients. This book begins with the epidemiology, genetics and pathophysiology of breast cancer and moves into clinical assessment and treatment options before providing comprehensive coverage of rehabilitation. Containing practical information, best practices and the latest advances and research, this book provides a valuable reference for physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians and residents, as well as occupational therapists and physical therapists. Provides a clear understanding of the current medical, surgical, and radiation treatments for breast cancer. Covers the whole spectrum of breast cancer rehabilitation, including the role of physical and occupational therapy, treatment of anxiety and depression, pain syndromes, integrative care, nutritional rehabilitation, palliative care, and more. Offers a timely and convenient resource written by leading experts in breast cancer and rehabilitation.

Much progress has been made in recent years and new techniques have been developed in the field of plastic surgery of the breast. Breast Surgery presents plastic surgeons with a comprehensive summary of current practice and the techniques available.
Clearly written in language accessible to both specialists and non-specialists, Breast Surgery presents a variety and range of techniques with which excellent results in both plastic and reconstructive breast surgery can be achieved. Over 600 drawings and photographs, both in black and white and in colour, accompany the text, providing the plastic surgeon with clearly-illustrated guidelines to follow.
Dr. Nathalie Bricout is a leading figure in the field of plastic surgery of the breast in France.

This book is about a new surgical procedure, surgical hysteroscopy, for out-patients. It is both a diagnostic approach and a surgical procedure. As a simple and non-aggresive technique, it is a "patient-friendly" procedure with a little surgical trauma as it avoids hysterectomy or laparotomy procedures thus preserving the genital tract. It is the leading procedure in the treatment of uterine bleeding. It has also proved to be an essential investigation technique of in the assessment of infertility. This book is the result of surgical practice and teaching experience in the field of hysteroscopic procedures.

In his 35 years of teaching medical students and trainees Professor Gabor Kovacs, International Medical Director of Monash IVF, has devised a system of lectures which cover the entire core curriculum in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The principle behind these lectures is to help the student understand various aspects of the specialty, rather than simply learning the key topics, and encourages ongoing problem solving as well as a more logical approach. Each of the lectures have been based around highly informative diagrams and tables, and each syndrome follows a set template making each topic very understandable and easy to assimilate. This will be an invaluable text for medical students, nursing and midwifery students, trainees in obstetrics and gynaecology as well as sexual and reproductive health, general and nurse practitioners.

This book aims to provide an up-to-date review of the literature in each of the major areas relating to the management of older gynecological cancer patients, and makes recommendations for best practice and future research. The authors come from a broad geographic spread including the UK, mainland Europe and North America to ensure a worldwide relevance.

This book covers in detail contemporary hypotheses and studies related to the immunology of implantation and provides a practical approach for the application of basic reproductive immunology research to pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, pre-term labor and IUGR. Provides complete and up to date review of current knowledge of the role of the immune system during pregnancy and the interactions between the placenta and the maternal immune system.

To aid in unraveling the complexities of the causation of congenital malformations, various influences on their frequency are considered in this book. And of course the known and possible environmental bases of their occurrence are fully described. An introductory record of the history of perinatal mortality in the last three centuries gives foundation for the discussion of death in contemporary decades.

This acclaimed text continues to focus on the essential techniques for effective surgical management of patients with ovarian cancer and related peritoneal surface malignancies. With a wealth of accompanying illustrations and operative videos; this fourth edition reflects the evolution - and controversies - in the use of minimally invasive and robotic surgery and the introduction of HIPEC treatment options.

A synopsis of the use of lasers in gynecology is presented in this book; it is supported by more than 10 years of experience and backed up by studies inthe fields of experimental surgery, technical medicine and clinical gynecology. The authors show how laser-assisted preparation hasbroadened the spectrum of operative possibilities in gynecology. Major points of attention are experimental surgery and basic research, details of application with respect to specific indications, and future potential. Furthermore, the clear definition of the possibilities and limitations of laser technology puts an end to the highly stylized view of a patent wonder divorced from general operative standards. Thereis no doubt that users of laser technology stand on the threshold of a promising development and yet, despite the present elegant applications, thefirst steps to maturity are only now being taken.