Is cancer a systemic disease? Does regional nodal metastases instigate distant metastasis or promote failure at the primary site? These are just two of the issues discussed in this new volume based on the results of a symposium on the diagnosis, significance and treatment of occult regional nodal metastases in the most common types of cancer. Occult Nodal Metastasis in Solid Carcinomata presents material for all levels of interest--from basic science to clinical application, and will be of practical use to medical libraries, oncologists, radiologists, clinical pathologists, immunologists, and cell and molecular biologists.

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."

This book discusses the molecular, biological, pathological, and clinical aspects of melanoma, with special emphasis in the new concepts of melanoma genetics. A multidisciplinary group of experts in Genetics, Dermatology, Pathology, and Melanoma Medical Oncology contribute state-of-the-art knowledge in melanoma research and clinical management, not only exposing the current status of knowledge of the topics but also providing their personal experiences and ideas about the future and potential practical application of the genetic aspects of melanoma. During the last few years we have witnessed an impressive amount of discoveries in the field of melanoma genetics which have changed our approach in understanding the pathogenesis and treatment of this lethal disease. Genetics of Melanoma is a practical approach to melanoma genetic mechanisms and their application in the diagnosis and treatment of this malignancy. It is an essential source of updated information and a powerful tool for clinicians, pathologists, and basic scientists who wish to understand, apply, and investigate the multiple new aspects of melanoma genetics.

This topical volume provides an overview of clinically relevant data on anticancer agents. It is not only intended medical doctors working with cancer patients, and for medical researchers and students. The different classes of anticancer drugs are described by international authorities on the various topics. Apart from new targets for anticancer agents, attention is also focused on improving efficacy and tolerability of existing compounds.

Over the past 10 years, work on acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) has become the paradigm of translational research that began with the discovery of a recurrent chromosomal translocation, followed by the identification of the genes and proteins involved, finding their molecular functions in transcriptional control, establishing mouse models and culminating in the development of targeted therapy.

Tamoxifen is a pioneering medicine for the treatment and prevention of breast cancer. It is the first drug targeted therapy in cancer to be successful. Tamoxifen targets the tumor estrogen receptor. The therapy is known to have saved the lives of millions of women over the past 40 years. This monograph, written by V. Craig Jordan - known as the "father of tamoxifen" - and his Tamoxifen Team at the Georgetown University Washington DC, illustrates the journey of this milestone in medicine. It includes a personal interview with V. Craig Jordan about his four decades of discovery in breast cancer research and treatment. V. Craig Jordan was there for the birth of tamoxifen as he is credited for reinventing a "failed morning after contraceptive" to become the "gold standard" for the treatment of breast cancer. He contributed to every aspect of tamoxifen application in therapeutics and all aspects of tamoxifen's pharmacology. He discovered the selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) and explored the new biology of estrogen-induced apoptosis.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is one of the most common maladies of mankind. Approximately 40% of the adult population of the USA suffers from significant heartburn and the numerous antacids advertised incessantly on national television represents a $8 billion per year drug market. The ability to control acid secretion with the increasingly effective acid-suppressive agents such as the H2 blockers ("pepcid, zantac") and proton pump inhibitors ("nexium, prevacid") has given physicians an excellent method of treating the symptoms of acid reflux.
Unfortunately, this has not eradicated reflux disease. It has just changed its nature. While heartburn, ulceration and strictures have become rare, reflux-induced adenocarcinoma of the esophagus is becoming increasingly common. Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and gastric cardia is now the most rapidly increasing cancer type in the Western world.
The increasing incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma has created an enormous interest and stimulus for research in this area. GERD brings together a vast amount of disparate literature and presents the entire pathogenesis of reflux disease in one place. In addition to providing a new concept of how gastroesophageal reflux causes cellular changes in the esophagus, GERD also offers a complete solution to a problem that has confused physicians for over a century. Both clinical and pathological information about reflux disease and its treatment are presented. GERD is meant to be used as a comprehensive reference for gastroenterologists, esophageal surgeons, and pathologists alike.
*Outlines how gastroesophageal reflux causes cellular changes in the esophagus
*Brings together the pathogenesis of the disease in one source and applies it toward clinical treatment
*Tom DeMeester is THE leading international expert on reflux disease; Parakrama Chandrasoma is one of the leading pathologists in the area
*Book contains approximately 350 illustrations
*Ancillary web site features color illustrations: www.chandrasoma.com

This book presents an overview of the most important current developments in the pre-analytical handling of tissue. It addresses in particular potential ways to improve the situation whereby methods employed in the pre-analytical phase - the period from surgical removal of tissue to the start of pathological processing - have remained essentially unchanged for decades with only modest standardization. It is examined how the pre-analytical period can be optimized, resulting not only in an increase in diagnostic quality but also in a reduction in processing time and costs. Among the key topics examined are the so-called cold ischemia time between tissue removal and fixation, the potential superiority of vacuum-based preservation over immediate formalin fixation, two-temperature fixation, molecular analysis methods, and the pre-analytics of specimens from particular tissues. Readers will find this book to be an important update that reveals the full importance of the pre-analytical phase for quality of pathological work-up.

This book addresses the most pressing current questions in the management of urologic malignancies. The rapid advances in imaging and molecular markers are placed into a clinical context, with explanation of their effects on prognosis and treatment planning. Similarly, progress in immunotherapy is carefully examined, focusing in particular on the role of immune checkpoint inhibitors in both early- and late-stage urologic malignancies. Looking beyond the improvements in minimally invasive techniques for urologic cancers, the impacts of care coordination pathways and enhanced recovery after surgery protocols are reviewed. Readers will also find enlightening discussion of the decision algorithm for the treatment of early-stage, high-grade bladder cancer, taking into account evidence on the most advanced treatment options and the circumstances in which surgery may need to be expedited. The penultimate chapter discusses the Cancer Genome Atlas project for bladder cancer, and the book closes by considering contemporary medical and surgical management of testicular cancer.

The relationship between oncologists and their cancer patients is rapidly evolving. Oncologists and other cancer professionals master new anticancer and supportive treatment options, while working under increasing economic pressure and time constraints, and are often unprepared to deal with all the challenges of their new position in a therapeutic relationship with cancer patients and families. Good communication is as essential as are modern laboratory tests and sophisticated diagnostics to achieve the best clinical results. This book updates the evolution of truth-telling and communication patterns worldwide and offers insights into the recent trends and emerging challenges in communication with cancer patients and families. New Challenges in Communication with Cancer Patients is an invaluable resource to medical professionals, educators and patients in establishing a strong and effective partnership built on trust and mutual understanding.

Convertases are widely expressed activating enzymes involved in various physiological and pathological processes. This book provides detailed and updated information on the role of these molecules in cancer. It is the first to summarize current knowledge of the importance of protein precursors maturation by the convertases in tumor progression, angiogenesis and metastasis. Each chapter discusses the importance of the convertases in the activation of various cancer-related molecules including growth factors, adhesion molecules and proteases.

From its introduction, oncological chemotherapy has been encumbered by its poor selectivity because most antiproliferative drugs are toxic not only to tumor cells but also to important populations of the body s non-neoplastic cells. The resultant problems with unwanted side effects are compounded by difficulties in predicting the desired effectivity of chemotherapy in individual patients.

This unsatisfactory situation has driven intensive research and development towards more specific and less toxic anticancer drugs over the last few decades. Several results of these efforts have reached the clinic and an even greater number are now in preclinical testing.

Common to all these targeted therapies is their interaction with defined molecules present on cancer cells, which adds various degrees of increased selectivity to their toxic effects. As a consequence, detecting the target molecule on tumors before therapy holds great diagnostic potential for predicting the efficacy of the drug and personalizing therapy.

This book aims to present translational scientists and clinicians with an integrated critical view on the theories, mechanisms, problems and pitfalls of the targeted therapy approach."

Cell cycle checkpoints control the fidelity and orderly progression of eukaryotic cell division. By controlling the orderly progression of critical cell cycle events such as DNA replication and chromosome segregation and ensuring proper repair of damaged DNA, cell cycle checkpoints function to ensure genome integrity. Mechanisms of checkpoint controls are not only the research focus of investigators interested in mechanisms that regulate the cell cycle, but are also the interests of researchers studying cancer development as it is increasingly clear that loss of cell cycle checkpoints, which leads to genomic instability as a result, is a hallmark of tumorigenesis. Cell Cycle Checkpoints: Methods and Protocols provides detailed descriptions of methodologies currently employed by researchers in the field, including those commonly used in the mammalian, yeast, C. elegans, Drosophila, and Xenopus model systems. Each chapter describes a specific technique or protocol, such as a method to induce cell cycle checkpoints in a particular model system, to synchronize a population of cells to allow observations of cell cycle progression, to identify genes involved in checkpoint regulation, and to study particular protein components of cell cycle checkpoint pathways. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters contain introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Cell Cycle Checkpoints: Methods and Protocols seeks to serve both professionals and novices with its well-honed methodologies in an effort to further our knowledge of this essential field.

Management of Penile Cancer provides a comprehensive and state-of-the-art overview of the major issues specific to the field of penile cancer. The sections of the book are structured to review the overall scope of issues of penile cancer, including diagnosis and staging, surgical approaches and the treatment of advanced disease. As multidisciplinary care is an integral part of the treatment of penile cancer, this book is unique in the inclusion of collaborating authors from a variety of integrated disciplines, including urology, radiation oncology, medical oncology and reconstructive surgery. Written by recognized experts in their field, Management of Penile Cancer is a unique and valuable resource in the field of penile cancer, both for those currently in training and for those already in clinical or research practice.

The Advances in Cancer Research series provides invaluable information on the exciting and fast-moving field of cancer research. This volume presents outstanding and original reviews on a variety of topics including NY-ESO-1: review of an immunogenic tumor antigen; Order, disorder, death: lessons from a superorganism; Control of differentiation in progression of epithelial tumors; Cancer vaccines: preclinical studies and novel strategies; Clinical results of vaccine therapy for cancer: learning from history for improving the future; Immunodominance and immunodomination: critical factors in developing effective CD8+ T-cell based cancer vaccines; NK cell receptors as tools in cancer immunotherapy; Innate immune recognition and suppression of tumors; Inhibitors of the HSP90 molecular chaperone: current status.

Imaging in Oncology will serve as an up-to-date, attractive book of oncologic imaging for radiologists, oncologists, radiation therapists and others involved in oncologic care. This volume provides pertinent clinical and research information that underpins accurate interpretation and sensible use of cancer imaging. It reviews the role of established and upcoming techniques in plain radiography, ultrasound, CT, MR nuclear medicine, PET and PET/CT for oncologic imaging as well as image-guided intervention. The book also highlights new developments and advances in oncologic imaging. Imaging in Oncology will appeal to physicians in practice and in training and to all interested in oncologic imaging.

Cytogenetic studies of malignancy have become an essential tool in the clinical management of cancer patients. Cancer Cytogenetics: Methods and Protocols presents eminently practical key cytogenetic and FISH techniques for every stage of diagnostic service. Experts in the field describe detailed cytogenetic analysis methods, fluorescence in situ hybridization and array methods currently being applied to investigate and diagnose different varieties of cancer. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters contain introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, and step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols. The authors of the various chapters have also provided extensive notes to guide individuals who are new to these methods through the pitfalls that bedevil all such testing.

Authoritative and accessible, Cancer Cytogenetics: Methods and Protocols serves as an ideal guide to scientists of all backgrounds, allowing them to either establish new techniques in their laboratories or find the different variations of standard methods helpful in improving their results.

Target Discovery and Validation Reviews and Protocols, Volumes 1 and 2 review the most progressive and current methods for drug target discovery and validation. These volumes explore how recent improvement in understanding the molecular mechanisms of human pathology is impacting drug target discovery in the laboratory and in real therapeutics, specifically for cancers and autoimmune disorders.

Volume 1 focuses on novel and innovative techniques, and presents the most up-to-date protocols available for maximizing the likelihood of achieving target-selective inhibition in vivo while minimizing side effects. The profound impact of genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics on target discovery is explored, and specific attention is given to the role of transgenic and knockout animals in functional genomics and target validation. Cancer researchers will find tremendous value in the molecular classification of breast cancers and the review of protocols for tumor antigens and cancer vaccines. The methods and protocols collected here, all reviewed by leading scientists and clinicians, present the practical details necessary for translating the enormous discovery potential of the genome into real therapeutic products.

Volume 2 collects all the practical details required for efficient translation of discovered targets into real pharmaceutical drugs. Specific targets in cancers and autoimmunity are described and the potential of using siRNAs, antisense oligonucleotides and RNA aptamers in patients is reviewed. This volume explores the tremendous impact of the application of genotyping and gene expression profiling on the future of healthcare, and presents cutting-edge protocols to aid inbringing agents against specific targets closer to application in the clinic.

Collectively, these volumes provide a thorough review of the most cutting-edge methods available for each step in drug target identification, validation, and clinical application. For researchers, an understanding of available methods aids in the creation of innovative experiments in the laboratory, and the successful translation of target discovery to real therapeutics.

Leptomeningeal Metastases is intended to provide the reader with an overview of the state-of-the-art therapy for the cancer patient with leptomeningeal cancer with additional information on epidemiology, symptom management, new clinical trials, and current basic research in animal models for experimental therapies.

The association between AIDS and cancer was recognized from the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, when the appearance of Kaposi sarcoma in a cluster of young men was one of the first signs of this new disease. It was soon recognized that AIDS was caused by infection with a novel virus (HIV) and that AIDS patients are prone to develop a number of "AIDS-defining" cancers: Kaposi sarcoma, lymphoma, and cervical cancer. The development of effective combination anti-HIV therapy starting around 1996 converted AIDS from a death sentence to a manageable disease and led to dramatic shifts in the epidemic. As this therapy was able to improve immune function in patients, the incidence of most "AIDS-defining" cancers decreased. There is a misconception, however, that AIDS has gone away. In fact, as AIDS patients are living longer, the number of AIDS patients has more than doubled in the United States since 1996, and the AIDS population overall has increased in age. Also, as AIDS patients are less likely to die of other complications, cancer is coming to the forefront as one of the most common causes of death in regions where AIDS drugs are widely available. Moreover, the three "AIDS-defining" cancers are now taking a back seat to a number of other HIV-associated cancers, such as Hodgkin lymphoma, lung cancer, and anal cancer. In the developing world, AIDS-associated cancers are a major public health problem, and in some regions of sub-Saharan Africa, Kaposi sarcoma is the most common tumor in men. In recent years, there has been a vast increase in our understanding of HIV-associated cancers. We now know, for example, that most are caused by other viruses and that the main role of HIV and immunodeficiency is to provide a supportive environment for the viruses to multiply and for the cancers to develop. But there remain a number of unanswered questions and a need for improved prevention and therapy. In the 28 chapters of this book, written by some of the most renowned experts in this field, we present up-to-date information on the cancers associated with HIV infection. The chapters cover the epidemiology of these cancers, their pathogenesis, their clinical presentation, and their treatment. The book will be of value to physicians, other medical professionals, students, and researchers with an interest in AIDS, viral-associated cancers, or HIV-associated malignancies. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. HIV-associated Cancers: Overview Robert Yarchoan, Thomas Uldrick, Mark Polizotto 2. Epidemiology of AIDS-defining Malignancies William A. Blattner and Rebecca G. Nowak 3. Epidemiology of non-AIDS Defining Malignancies Andrew E. Grulich 4. HIV Cancers in Resource-Limited Regions Sam M. Mbulaiteye 5. Kaposi's Sarcoma-associated Herpesvirus (KSHV) Blossom Damania and Dirk P. Dittmer 6. Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) Lindsey Hutt-Fletcher 7. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Zhi-Ming Zheng 8. Merkel Cell Polymavirus (MCV) Nicole Fischer and Adam Grundhoff 9. Presentation and Pathogenesis of Kaposi's Sarcoma Corey Casper 10. Management of Kaposi's Sarcoma Susan E. Krown 11. Presentation and Pathogenesis of HIV Lymphomas Richard F. Little, Stefania Pittaluga, Kieron Dunleavy 12. Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Neel K. Gupta and Lawrence D. Kaplan 13. Burkitt and Burkitt-Like Lymphoma Kishor Bhatia and Sam M. Mbulaiteye 14. Primary Effusion Lymphoma Giovanna Tosato 15. AIDS-related Central Nervous System Lymphoma Jan Davidson-Moncada and Thomas Uldrick 16. Plasmablastic and Other Lymphomas Huan-You Wang, Ida Wong-Sefidan, Erin Reid 17. Hodkin Lymphoma Michele Spina, Rosanna Ciancia, Accursio Augello 18. Multicentric Castelman Disease Mark N. Polizzotto, Thomas S. Uldrick, Robert Yarchoan 19. Cervical Cancer Elizabeth A. Stier 20. Anal Cancer Joel Palefsky 21. Other HPV-Associated Cancers Kristina R. Dahlstrom and Erich M. Sturgis 22. Lung Cancer in HIV Infection Deepthi Mani and David M. Aboulafia 23. Hepattocellular Carcinoma in HIV-positive Patients Massimiliano Berretta, Paolo De Paoli, Umberto Tirelli, Bruno Cacopardo 24. Merkel Cell Carcinoma and Other HIV-associated Skin Cancers Nathalie C. Zeitouni adn Bethany Lema 25. Conjuctival Carcinoma Kenneth O. Simbiri and Erle S. Robertson 26. Malignancies in Children with HIV Infection D. Cristina Stefan 27. cART and Supportive Care Ronald T. Mitsuyasu 28. Stem Cell Transplantation Christine Durand and Richard Ambinder

Medicinal chemistry is both science and art. The science of medicinal chemistry offers mankind one of its best hopes for improving the quality of life. The art of medicinal chemistry continues to challenge its practitioners with the need for both intuition and experience to discover new drugs. Hence sharing the experience of drug research is uniquely beneficial to the field of medicinal chemistry. Drug research requires interdisciplinary team-work at the interface between chemistry, biology and medicine. Therefore, the topic-related series Topics in Medicinal Chemistry covers all relevant aspects of drug research, e.g. pathobiochemistry of diseases, identification and validation of (emerging) drug targets, structural biology, drugability of targets, drug design approaches, chemogenomics, synthetic chemistry including combinatorial methods, bioorganic chemistry, natural compounds, high-throughput screening, pharmacological in vitro and in vivo investigations, drug-receptor interactions on the molecular level, structure-activity relationships, drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination, toxicology and pharmacogenomics. In general, special volumes are edited by well known guest editors.

Working in mathematical oncology is a slow and difficult process, requiring the acquisition of a special mindset that goes well beyond the usual applications of mathematics and physics. "Mathematical Oncology 2013" presents the most significant recent results in the field of mathematical oncology, highlighting the work of world-class research teams. This innovative volume emphasizes the way different researchers see and approach problems, not just technical results. It covers many of the most important topics related to the mathematical modeling of tumors, including: Free boundaries. Tumors are growing entities, as such their spatial mean field description involves free boundary problems.Constitutive equations. Tumors should be described as nontrivial porous media.Stochastic dynamics. At the end of anti-cancer therapy, a small number of cells remain, whose dynamics is thus inherently stochastic.Noise-induced state transitions. The growth parameters of macroscopic tumors are non-constant, as are the parameters of anti-tumor therapies. This may induce phenomena that are mathematically equivalent to phase transitions.Stochastic and fractal geometry. Tumor vascular growth is self-similar.

The intended audience consists of graduate students and researchers in the fields biomathematics, computational and theoretical biology, biophysics and bioengineering, where the phenomenon tumor is acquiring the same relevance as in modern molecular biology."

Haematological oncology is a rapidly advancing and exciting field of medicine. This is the first British textbook addressing haematological oncology written specifically for nurses. The book is intended for qualified nurses working with, or having an interest in, haematological malignancies and will also be useful to student nurses and those undertaking specialist courses. The second edition of this successful text has been fully revised and updated throughout in line with recent developments in clinical practice. There are seven new chapters and expanded sections on bone marrow transplant, the immune system and palliative care. Comprehensive coverage of nursing issues in hematological malignancies providing everything a newcomer will need to know Addresses the role of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and blood marrow transplant treatments in haematological oncology to enable effective management of patients Discusses pertinent daily issues for practicing nurses including oral care, nausea and vomiting, nutrition, infection control, social and psychological issues Reflection points provide an active reading experience and illuminate ideas and issues within the text Six new chapters: Research Priorities; Leadership Issues for Specialist Nurses; Fatigue; Adolescent Issues; Addressing the Needs of Families; Immune Modulators and Novel Therapies Expanded information on bone marrow transplant, the immune system and palliative care Improved design and layout New expert contributors to provide the latest information on their field