This issue of Surgical Clinics of North America, guest edited by Dr. Clifford Cho, is devoted to Technical Aspects of Oncological Hepatic Surgery. He has assembled expert authors to review the following topics: Determination of Resectability; Radiographic Characterization of Hepatic Tumors; Chemotherapy-associated Hepatotoxicity; Preoperative Assessment and Optimization of the Future Liver Remnant; Anatomy of Hepatic Resectional Surgery; Resection of Gallbladder Carcinoma; Resection of Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma; Technical Aspects of Orthotopic Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma; Hemostasis and Hepatic Surgery; Minimally Invasive Hepatic Surgery; Hepatic Tumor Ablation; Hepatic Transarterial Therapies; Hepatic Perfusion Therapy; Hepatic Artery Infusional Chemotherapy; Ex vivo Hepatic Surgery, and more!

Cancer is a multifaceted and genomically complex disease and data obtained through high throughput technologies has provided near complete resolution of the landscape of how genomic, genetic and epigenetic mutations in cancerous cells effectively influence homeostasis of signaling networks within these cells, between cancerous cells, tumor microenvironment and at the organ level. Increasingly sophisticated information has helped us in developing a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of cancer, and it is now known that intra-tumor genetic heterogeneity, cellular plasticity, dysregulation of spatio-temporally controlled signaling cascades, and loss of apoptosis are contributory in cancer development, progression and the development of resistance against different therapeutics. It is becoming progressively more understandable that earlier detection of pre-existing or emerging resistance against different therapeutics may prove to be helpful in personalizing the use of targeted cancer therapy. Despite the fact that there is a continuously increasing list of books, being guest edited by researchers, books on the subject are often composed of invited reviews without proper sequence and continuity and designed for a particular readership. This book progressively shifts and guides the readers from basic underlying mechanisms to translational approaches to treat cancer.

This book is a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of pre-malignant disease, emphasizing common themes in the field, including stem cell biology and histologic modes of cancer progression between the distal esophagus and stomach. Its sixteen chapters discuss metaplastic tissue change in the upper GI, clonalexpansion of early neoplasia, stem cell dynamics in experimental models, pathology of early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, therapeutic modalities for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, pathology of Barrett's esophagus, screening, early detection and novel diagnostic tools for Barrett's esophagus, clonal evolution of Barrett's esophagus, endoscopic therapeutic modalities of early esophageal cancer, pathology of early gastric cancer, and experimental models for gastric cancer. Stem Cells, Pre-neoplasia and Early Cancer of the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract is an integrative text on both the current state of translational research on every cancer development of the upper gastrointestinal tract as well as on novel clinical diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. It highlights a rapidly growing field within cancer research and is essential reading for oncologists, biochemists and advanced graduate students alike. Springer's Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology series presents multidisciplinary and dynamic findings in the broad fields of experimental medicine and biology. The wide variety in topics it presents offers readers multiple perspectives on a variety of disciplines including neuroscience, microbiology, immunology, biochemistry, biomedical engineering and cancer research.

This volume provides detailed descriptions of prevailing and novel techniques used by experts in the study of PTEN function in disease and biology. The book begins with chapters exploring methods to detect expression levels of PTEN in normal and diseased human specimens; methods to evaluate specific PTEN function in brain cancer; methods that utilize a new biosensor to measure PTEN regulation; and techniques to measure post-transcriptional regulation of PTEN by micoRNAs and ceRNAs. Other chapters present methods describing novel techniques to detect PTEN localization and previously unstudied structural features of PTEN measured through X-Ray Crystallography and Hydrogen Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry. The book concludes with methods to study PTEN function in model organisms including mice and C. elegans. 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. Authoritative and thorough, PTEN: Methods and Protocols is a valuable collection of methodologies and protocols useful to researchers who are interested in the PTEN field.

The past decade has been marked by the acceleration of our understanding of the molecular biology of cancer. Simultaneously, there have been increasing exigencies to diagnose, treat and follow cancer patients more economically. Biomarkers represent the marriage of science and economics. Biomarkers offer the potential to increase the precision of diagnosis, prognosis, and surveillance of urological malignancies. This issue presents the cutting-edge advances of biomarker technology to urologic oncology.

This multidisciplinary analysis links epidemiologic, cultural, social, and medical analyses of cancer prevention, detection, and care. The contributors demonstrate that different ethnic groups and cultures have distinct concepts of cancer prevention and control. These ideas are dynamic, shaped by personal and group histories, social networks, technologies, politics, economics, religions, linguistics, and other environmental conditions.

Cross-cultural writings about cancer make this book useful to professionals and students in the disciplines of medicine, nursing, public health, sociology, anthropology, and social welfare. The 15 articles reveal that cancer knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors are diverse cross-cultural constructs resulting from distinct experiences. Ideas and behaviors about prevention and control may be shared or individual and idiosyncratic. The book is composed of three sections: I. Cancer Beliefs and Behaviors; II. Interventions in Review; III. New Strategies for Cancer Research. The authors, including anthropologists, epidemiologists, health educators, nurses, and physicians, explicate notions of prevention and control, and assess interventions and methodologies that illustrate generally ignored successes in decreased mortality and morbidity among members of specific populations.

Childhood acute leukemias are one of the main causes of death in children aged 1 to 14 years in some countries; and unfortunately, we have been unable to prevent it. Certainly, a good parcel of it is due to the poor understanding about its etiology. This book aims to describe the most important theories and hypothesis regarding childhood acute leukemia. Written by the most outstanding researchers in the field, this book intends to contribute to a greater understanding of the etiology of this disease. It goes beyond the simple and common analysis of risk factors, which hardly allows us to draw definite conclusions. By addressing the etiology of the disease, discussing from molecular biology until epidemiology and clinical manifestations, this book will guide present and future approaches, contributing for a better clinical management of leukemia in children. The knowledge regarding etiology is a crucial step for a better evaluation, prevention and treatment of a disease. Thus, this book finally intends to provide such knowledge, allowing physicians and practitioners to a better manage of childhood acute leukemias.

This issue of Surgical Oncology Clinics of North America, guest edited by Nipun Merchant, MD, is devoted to Pancreatic Neoplasms. Dr. Merchant has assembled expert authors to review the following topics: Molecular and Genetic Basis of Pancreatic Carcinogenesis: Which Concepts May Be Clinically Relevant?; Role Of EUS and ERCP In The Clinical Assessment Of Pancreatic Neoplasms; Optimal Imaging Modalities For The Diagnosis and Staging Of Periampullary Lesions; Advances in the Surgical Management of Resectable and Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Cancer; Minimally Invasive Approaches to Pancreatic Surgery; Adjuvant and Neoadjuvant Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer; Palliative Management of Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer; Spectrum and Classification of Cystic Lesions of the Pancreas; Therapeutic Approach to Cystic Neoplasms of the Pancreas; Clinical Presentation and Management of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors; State-of-the-Art Imaging of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors; Surgical Approaches to Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors; and Medical Management of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: Current and Future Therapy.

This book shares the latest research and practice-oriented findings in medical sciences with a wide audience. It addresses a range of contemporary issues, often unresolved or contentious, across various medical fields, including advances in the management of hemorrhagic brain stroke. It also discusses metastatic renal cell carcinoma - a global scourge with an extremely poor long-term survival prognosis, the course and sequelae of renal cell carcinoma, as well as advances in targeted molecular therapy with sunitinib, a receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Further, it examines the molecular targeting of proliferative signaling of the epidermal growth factor receptor in the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer. Other articles cover clearance of toxins in hemodialyzed patients; the search for diagnostic and therapeutic markers in the connective tissue disease scleroderma; obesity linked to inappropriate dietary habit; clinical problems related to the diagnosis of sensitization to fungi and its role in asthma; and reasons for the perilous trend of avoiding basic vaccinations in children. Lastly, the book explores the rapid developments in e-health technologies that increase access to health services, particularly for the elderly. The book is intended for clinical specialists, researchers, and all allied health professionals from various fields.

The Editor of this publication is Dr Elise Olsen, Director of the Duke University Cutaneous Lymphoma Research and Treatment Center and professor of Dermatology and Oncology. In 2014, cutaneous lymphoma (CL) is considered a chronic, non-life threatening disease since the majority of patients are diagnosed at early stage, though progression to later stages does result in death from the disease. This issue covers T-cell and B-cell lymphomas, with content emphasis on Mycoides fungoides and Sezary syndrome, the two most common clinically encountered subtypes of CL. Pharmaceutical treatment of the disease is a part of each article and the issue uses the following Treatment outline: Mechanisms of action - Pharmacokinetics - Typical dosing - Response to therapy - Adverse effects - and Pearls to help management using the agent under discussion. Beyond Dermatologists, specialists who would find the information useful are Cancer specialists, Hematologists/Oncologists, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, and Pharmacists. Some of the topics, written by the word's top experts in this disease, are: Overview of primary cutaneous lymphomas and the applicable staging and classification; Pathologic diagnosis of cutaneous lymphomas; in the section on Mycosis Fungoides and Sezary Syndrome, the clinician and researcher will find such topics as Skin directed medications; Phototherapy; Systemic retinoids; Interferons; HDAC inhibiotrs, Methotrexate and praletexate, along with other chemotherapeutic agents. Also, Bone marrow transplant; Diagnosis and management of CD30+ Lymphoproliferative disorders; and Diagnosis and management of primary cutaneous B cell lymphomas.

This volume presents state of the art of methods that can be useful for both basic and translational researchers to conduct chemoprevention preclinical studies. 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. Authoritative and practical, Cancer Chemoprevention: Methods and Protocols aims to ensure successful results in the further study of this vital field.

This issue of Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America is devoted to Pancreatic Cancer. Guest Editor Brian Wolpin, MD has assembled a group of expert authors to review the following topics: Biology and genetics of pancreatic adenocarcinoma; Mouse models of pancreatic adenocarcinoma; Epidemiology and inherited predisposition for sporadic pancreatic adenocarcinoma; Familial pancreatic adenocarcinoma; Imaging and endoscopic approaches to pancreatic cancer; Diagnosis and management of pancreatic cystic neoplasms; Surgical management of pancreatic cancer; Peri-operative therapy for surgically resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma; Diagnosis and management of borderline resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma; Treatment approaches to locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma; Therapeutic approaches for metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma; Supportive and end-of-life care for patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma; and Novel therapeutics for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

The 7 chapters in this book have been selected from the contents of the Oncological Imaging section in Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology 6e. These chapters provide a succinct up-to-date overview of current imaging techniques and their clinical applications in daily practice and it is hoped that with this concise format the user will quickly grasp the fundamentals they need to know. Throughout these chapters, the relative merits of different imaging investigations are described, variations are discussed and recent imaging advances are detailed. Please note that the following chapters represent a portion of the oncological imaging aspects in the comprehensive 6th edition of Grainger's & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology (for example, abdominal tumours are considered in section C "Abdominal Imaging")

This book is a compilation of past and recent knowledge in the field of emerging drug resistance. The book covers major aspects of drug resistance in bacteria, fungi, malaria, and cancer.Human survival on earth is constantly threatened by disease and syndrome. From the early days, the aim of research in medicine was to find therapeutic agents that can improve the quality of human life. Although humans are dependent on natural compounds from early days their dependence of drugs increased excessively in last century. The advances in chemistry and biology have helped researchers to identify the drugs that have improved treatment of many diseases. The primary factor for treatment of these diseases is dependent on the efficacy of drugs available. The development of resistance to these drugs is one of the major hindrances. Although there are number of books available on this topic, "drug resistance" biology across kingdoms has never been discussed in a coherent way.

This book describes the molecular mechanisms of lung cancer development and progression that determine therapeutic interventions in the era of genomics, when the rapid evolution in lung cancer diagnosis and treatment necessitates critical review of new results to integrate advances into practice. The text opens with background and emerging information regarding the molecular biology of lung cancer pathogenesis. Updated results regarding lung cancer prevention and screening are discussed, followed by chapters on diagnostic techniques and pathological evaluation. This leads on to a detailed presentation of treatment modalities, from surgery and radiation therapy to standard chemotherapy and targeted agents. The coverage includes resistance to therapy and the emergence of immunotherapy for lung cancer; in addition, the current evidence in respect of small cell lung cancer is summarized. The book presents insights from experts across disciplines to emphasize the importance of collaborative care. Advances in our understanding of issues in geriatric oncology and palliative care complete the comprehensive discussion of lung cancer.

This issue of Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America is devoted to Congenital and Acquired Disorders of Macrophages and Histiocytes. Guest Editors Nancy Berliner, MD and Barrett Rollins, MD have assembled a group of expert authors to review the following topics: Nosology of Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH); Cell of Origin of LCH; Genomic Changes in LCH; Clinical Treatment of LCH; Neurodegeneration in LCH; Pathogenesis of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH); Familial HLH; HLH in Adults; Macrophage Activation Syndrome; and Stem Cell Transplant for HLH.

This issue of Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America is devoted to Head and Neck Cancer. Guest Editor Alexander Colevas, MD has assembled a group of expert authors to review the following topics: Epidemiology of SCCHN; Genetics of Head and Neck Cancers; Molecular Biology of Head and Neck Cancers; Quality of Life in Head and Neck Cancer Treatment; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma; Evolving Surgical Techniques in SCCHN; Radiation Oncology New Approaches in SCCHN; Thyroid Gland Malignancies; Sequential and Concurrent Chemoradiation; Systemic Chemotherapy for SCCHN Focus on New targets and Agents; EGFR Inhibition in SCCHN; Diagnostic and Therapeutic Assessment Imaging in Head and Neck Cancer; Salivary Gland Cancers; Immunotherapy in SCCHN; Human Papillomavirus in SCCHN; and Supportive Care Issues in SCCHN Treatment and Survivorship: Dental, Nutrition, Speech and Swallowing, Depression.

This issue of Recent Results in Cancer Research presents a comprehensive review of current understanding of chromosomal instability in cancer and of strategies to use this information for better treatment of patients with cancer. Cancer is a disease of the chromosomes, and chromosomal instability in cancer disrupts gene function by either inactivating tumor suppressor genes or activating growth-promoting oncogenes. The chromosomal basis for these aberrations is either translocations, which change the integrity of genes, or abnormal numbers of chromosomes, a condition referred to as aneuploidy, which results in abnormal gene expression levels. Such structural or numerical chromosomal aberrations are specific for distinct tumor entities. The degree of chromosomal instability and the degree of intratumor heterogeneity have profound consequences for disease outcome and for therapeutic stratification.

This issue of Surgical Oncology Clinics of North America, edited by Thomas Weber, MD, is devoted to Genetic Testing in Surgical Oncology. Articles in this issue include: The Critical Importance of Timely Genetic Testing; Securing and Documenting Cancer Family History in the Age of the Electronic Medical Record; Cancer Family Registries: Vital Tools for Patient Management and Cancer Genetics Translational Research; The Genetics of Breast Cancer; The Genetics of Colorectal Cancer: HNPCC, FAP MYH, and Hamartomatous Syndromes Including Peutz-Jeghers and Jevenile Polyposis; Hereditary Gastric Cancer Syndromes; Hereditary Pancreatic Cancer Syndromes; Hereditary Melanoma: Genetics and Multidisciplinary Management; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia: Genetics and Clinical Management; Sequence Variants of Uncertain Significance (VUS): What To Do When Genetic Testing Results Are Not Definitive; Confidentiality and the Risk of Genetic Discrimination: What Surgeons Need to Know; and A Certified Genetic Counselor: A Crucial Clinical Resource in the Management of Patients with Suspected Hereditary Solid Tumor Syndromes.

Drs. Robert J. Lewandowski and Matthew S. Davenport have assembled an expert panel of authors on the topic of Interventional Radiology. Articles will include: Abdominal Biopsy: Technical and Clinical Considerations; Intra-arterial Therapies for Liver Masses; Liver Ablation: Best Practice; Renal Intervention; Imaging (Findings) after Intervention; Assessing Imaging Response to Therapy; Liver Masses: Imaging Evaluation in Non-cirrhotics; Imaging in Cirrhotics: Current Evidence; Renal Masses: Imaging Evaluation; Adrenal Imaging/Intervention; The Pancreas; and more!