This issue of the Surgical Oncology Clinics will focus on new advances in Breast Cancer Surgery, and will include articles on Chemoprevention, Breast MRI, Genomics, Sentinel Node Biopsy, Extra-axillary Sentinel Nodes, Skin-Sparing and Nipple Sparing Mastectomy, Oncoplastic Techniques, Neoadjuvant Hormonal Therapy, Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy, Adjuvant Hormonal Therapy, Adjuvant Chemotherapy, and Biologic Targeted Therapies.

This book surveys recent advances in theranostics based on magnetic nanoparticles, ultrasound contrast agents, silica nanoparticles and polymeric micelles. It presents magnetic nanoparticles, which offer a robust tool for contrast enhanced MRI imaging, magnetic targeting, controlled drug delivery, molecular imaging guided gene therapy, magnetic hyperthermia, and controlling cell fate. Multifunctional ultrasound contrast agents have great potential in ultrasound molecular imaging, multimodal imaging, drug/gene delivery, and integrated diagnostics and therapeutics. Due to their diversity and multifunctionality, polymeric micelles and silica-based nanocomposites are highly capable of enhancing the efficacy of multimodal imaging and synergistic cancer therapy. This comprehensive book summarizes the main advances in multifunctional nanoprobes for targeted imaging and therapy of gastric cancer, and explores the clinical translational prospects and challenges. Although more research is needed to overcome the substantial obstacles that impede the development and availability of nanotheranostic products, such nontrivial nanoagents are expected to revolutionize medical treatments and help to realize the potential of personalized medicine to diagnose, treat, and follow-up patients with cancer. Zhifei Dai is a Professor at the Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, China.

Cancer is a chronic life-threatening disease that requires a comprehensive approach, including health promotion, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliation. Because primary care physicians are critically important to the implementation of cancer control strategies, we have devoted two issues of Primary Care to keeping primary care physicians informed about the most recent developments in cancer treatment and prevention. Part II focuses on diagnosis, management of cancer survivors, and palliative care.

Transplant and oncology patients present a challenge to the infectious disease specialist because many of the entities that infect them are hard to diagnose.? Chemotherapy may further complicate the situation, since it may contraindicate a biopsy or interfere with antibiotic therapy. This issue of Infectious Disease Clinics provides specific information on several entities with the purpose of helping physicians to best treat these difficult infections.

This issue provides the reader with a summary of evidence-based therapies of how to manage emergency care for cancer disorders.? Articles are dedicated to specific presentation syndromes, such as malignant epidural spinal cord compression, superior vena cava syndrome, and airway obstruction. These reviews update the reader on evidence-based therapies for these entities and highlight the emerging role of stent therapies. This issue also includes articles dealing with the neurological, renal, and metabolic (electrolyte and adrenal) emergencies encountered in the cancer patient. Also addressed are selected gastrointestinal presentations commonly encountered in cancer patients, such as the acute abdomen, gastrointestinal bleeding, and hepatic encephalopathy. The issue concludes with several articles dedicated to hematologic considerations including venous thrombosis, acquired bleeding disturbances, and myeloproliferative/hyperviscosity syndromes.

This volume discusses certain epigenetic changes recognized in early carcinogenic lesions and different tumors, as well as factors that alter the epigenome and epigenetic profile such as diet, alcohol, immunity, circadian rhythm, and more. The chapters in this book further delve into this field and cover topics such as epigenome-based precision medicine in lung cancer; interplay between genetic and epigenetic changes in breast cancer subtypes; genetic regulation of PDCD1 gene in cancer immunology; and pyrosequencing methylation analysis. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and authoritative, Cancer Epigenetics for Precision Medicine: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource to help researchers and scientists identify these specific biomarkers and work towards the prevention, diagnosis, and prognosis of different cancers in the future.

This is a unique book on thyroid neoplasms in that it covers many current topics in the area including tumor development, tumor markers and preclinical treatment for advanced cancer as well as practical approaches (radioiodine, ultrasound, thyroglobulin monitoring and PET scanning). This book will give the general reader and specialist a good foundation for what is currently going on in the area of thyroid neoplasms.
*A translational approach to thyriod neoplasms
*Contributions from national experts in research and clinical medicine
*Current and practical approaches to patients with thyroid neoplasms

The book deals with orthomolecular medicine and mineral supplements for treatment of cancer. The supporters of megavitamin therapy believe it is the most exciting discovery of the century. The authors also discuss the healing power of integrated food, bees honey, elevating body alkalinity, and oxygen water for defeating malignant tumors.

"Explains why a significant body of scientific research has been largely ignored by cancer research institutions. Hess has clearly demonstrated the valuable role that social scientists can have in offering a neutral perspective on medical research and how it is shaped by cultural bias."
--"Townsend Letter"

"Hess has made a careful study of one of the most intriguing themes that weaves through the recent history of unconventional approaches to cancer. Every researcher, physician, and general reader interested in this field should welcome this important and incisive contribution."
--"Michael Lerner
President, Commonweal, and author of "Choices in Healing"

Growing numbers of cancer patients are exploring diet, food supplements, herbs, and nontoxic immunotherapies like bacterial vaccines as a means of therapy. Yet most cancer research organizations refuse to even evaluate these alternatives. "Can Bacteria Cause Cancer?" argues convincingly that unless this neglected world of alternative therapies is properly scrutinized, the medical Vietnam of the twentieth century may well affect one in two people by the twenty-first century.

David J. Hess investigates one of the great medical mysteries of the twentieth century--the relationship between bacteria and chronic disease. Recently scientists have overturned long-held beliefs by demonstrating that bacterial infections cause many ulcers; they are now reconsidering the role of bacterial infections in other chronic diseases, such as arthritis. Is it possible, Hess asks, that bacteria can contribute to the many other known causes of cancer?

To answer this intriguing question, Hess takes us into the world of alternative cancerresearchers. Maintaining that their work has been actively suppressed rather than simply dismissed, he examines their claims---that bacterial vaccines have led to some dramatic cases of long-term cancer remission--and the scientific potential of their theories. Economic interests and cultural values, he demonstrates, have influenced the rush toward radiation and chemotherapy and the current cul-de-sac of toxic treatments.

More than a medical mystery story, "Can Bacteria Cause Cancer?" is a dramatic case study of the failure of the war on cancer.

Major strides have been made in the treatment and understanding of Myelodysplasia.? The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three new drugs for the treatment of MDS; new disease genes have been discovered; major insights have been made into the biology of the disorder; and animal models of MDS have been developed.? The articles in this issue illustrate the rapid progress in MDS research, from molecular pathophysiology to improved therapies.? Insights into the biology of MDS, the development of model systems to study MDS, and the application of new technologies with unprecedented power to interrogate the cancer genome promise to increase the rate of discovery, transforming our understanding of MDS and leading to improvements in the treatment this disease.

The book introduces the bioinformatics tools, databases and strategies for the translational research, focuses on the biomarker discovery based on integrative data analysis and systems biological network reconstruction. With the coming of personal genomics era, the biomedical data will be accumulated fast and then it will become reality for the personalized and accurate diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of complex diseases. The book covers both state of the art of bioinformatics methodologies and the examples for the identification of simple or network biomarkers. In addition, bioinformatics software tools and scripts are provided to the practical application in the study of complex diseases. The present state, the future challenges and perspectives were discussed. The book is written for biologists, biomedical informatics scientists and clinicians, etc. Dr. Bairong Shen is Professor and Director of Center for Systems Biology, Soochow University; he is also Director of Taicang Center for Translational Bioinformatics.

More than 180 participants and experts from 31 countries met for the fifth time in 10 years in St. Gallen, Switzerland for a 3-day conference to discuss important current issues of clinical cancer prevention. The meeting was again organized and co-sponsored by St. Gallen Oncology Conferences (SONK). While SONK has been extremely successful in organizing large international c- gresses on "Primary Therapy of Early Breast Cancer" as well as "Supportive Care in Cancer" for more than 20 years, the idea of promoting interdisciplinary, clinically oriented meetings on cancer prevention is a more recent and not yet generally accepted and w- comed concept in modern oncology. Since today's medical expenses are soaring and me- cal research budgets are stagnating or even being cut, neither politicians nor industry is willing to risk an additional unpredictable channel of expenses, such as that demanded by clinical cancer prevention efforts! In Switzerland-and we fear in many other parts of the globe-some 97%-98% or even a greater percentage of health budgets is spent for curative and palliative/rehabilitative m- icine. Since a meager 2%-3% of national health budgets is for preventive medicine, even less than that proportion is specifically allocated for cancer prevention. When the money for "curing and caring" for the diseased populace runs short, there is likely not much left for partly controversial disease prevention in the (still) healthy part of the population.

This issue of the Surgical Oncology Clinics will cover the following topics: imaging for pancreatic cancer, EUS staging and novel therapeutics for pancreatic cancer, management of cystic tumors, management of IPMN, laparoscopic surgery for pancreatic tumors, current concepts in the surgical management of pancreatic cancer, management of borderline resectable pancreatic cancer, regionalization of pancreatic surgery, update on adjuvant trials for pancreatic cancer, neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer, novel targets for pancreatic cancer therapy, and new frontiers in pancreatic cancer.

An estimated 234,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year, making it one of the most common cancers affecting American men; however, it can be a controversial disease to diagnose and treat now that there is research abounding for both "watchful waiting? and aggressive treatments. Dr. Oh supplies balanced information, with articles on: Prostate Cancer: To Screen or Not To Screen?; High Intensity Focused Ultrasound: Ready for Primetime?; The Case for Open vs. Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy; Primary and Salvage Prostate Cancer Cryotherapy; and? The Case for Open vs. Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy, to name a few. The state-of-the art information presented in this issue make is must-have for all urologists.

A comprehensive review of cancer patient treatment methods in the Intensive Care Unit. Articles include: Admission Criteria and Prognostication in Cancer Patients Admitted to the ICU; Diagnostic Strategies and Management of Acute Respiratory Failure in Cancer Patients Requiring Intensive Care; Mechanical Ventilation in Cancer Patients: Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes; Critical Care of the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipient; Critical Issues in Oncological Surgery Patients; and Diagnosis and Management of Infectious Complications in Critically Ill Patients with Cancer.

This two part issue of PET Clinics provides a comprehensive review to the important topic of Breast Cancer. Although the focus of this issue is the use of PET and PET/CT in the diagnosis, staging, treatment planning, and follow up for patients with breast cancer, there are also articles providing correlates from other imaging modalities.

Chronic immune thrombocytopenia is a disease in which the immune system destroys platelets (blood cells involved in the clotting process). Patients with ITP have abnormal bruising and bleeding, and severe disease can be life threatening. For many patients, standard drug treatments are not effective, and many of the drugs used may have significant side effects with long-term use. Among the articles in this issue, some focus on the traditional and newer treatments for the disease. Other articles focus on diagnosis and treatment of the disease in pregnancy, lymphoproliferative disorders, in thyroid disease, in rheumatologic disorders, and in children. Also discussed are infectious causes.

Proposed topics for this issue include: Overview of Colorectal Cancer Genetics; Familial Adenomatous Polyposis; MYH Associated Polyposis; Other genetic colorectal cancer syndromes; Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer - emphasis on MSH2/MLH1; Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer - emphasis on PMS2/MSH6; Familial Colorectal Cancer Syndrome Type X; Genome Wide Association Studies and Colorectal Cancer Risk; Genetic Counseling for Hereditary Colorectal Cancer; Genetic Testing for Hereditary Colorectal Cancer; Role of surgery in HNPCC and FAP.

Desmoid Tumors (DT), also called Aggressive Fibromatoses, are a rare fibroblastic proliferative disease, with an incidence of 2 to 4 new cases per million people per year. Despite the absence of a metastatic potential, DT cause significant morbidity and at times mortality due to its locally invasive behaviour. The anatomical locations can be abdominal, extra-abdominal (often in the extremities) and intra-abdominal. This book is the first manuscript dedicated entirely to Desmoid Tumors. Written by prominent clinicians, researchers and advocacy group experts, patients and professionals alike will find this to be a comprehensive review. Clinical presentation, imaging guidelines and treatment paradigms are highlighted. Both the sporadic and heredity forms (Familial Adenomatous Polyposis) will be discussed. A thorough discussion on the unique issues in children with DT is included. A portion of the book will address the role of the APC gene, the -catenin protein and the role of mutations in the genesis of DT. Emerging cutting edge research techniques will be revealed. Also included is a thoughtful discussion on the controversial labelling of Desmoid Tumors as benign and the consequences of such a designation. The role of advocacy groups in supporting research and in promoting awareness of rare diseases such as DT will be outlined. This book will serve as basis to prepare clinicians, researchers and patients to embark on the quest for a cure for Desmoid Tumors.

Topics include: Evaluation and initial management of the patient with facial skin cancer; Nonmelanomatous skin cancer; Mohs, Malignant melanoma; Local flaps - bilobed, rhombic, forehead, melolabial; Options for the management of scalp defects; Defects of the nose; Eyelid defects; Ear defects; Defects of the lips; Cheek defects; Secondary procedures to improve flap appearance.

This issue provides a comprehensive overview of imaging of the prostate using PET and PET/CT. In addition to providing correlates from other modalities, this issue also covers treatment planning for radiation therapy and follow-up.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common malignancy diagnosed in children, representing nearly one third of all pediatric cancers. The annual incidence of ALL is about 30 cases per million people, with a peak incidence in children aged 2-5 years. Although a few cases are associated with inherited genetic syndromes, the cause of ALL remains largely unknown. This issue presents articles that discuss current thinking on the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Articles specifically emphasize molecular genetics, allogeneic stem cell transplantation, and treatments including, clofarabine, nelarabine, rituximab, and PegAsp.