It is common knowledge that a clinical diagnosis is based on a combination of symptoms and signs, observed in their evolution. Advancing the diagnosis at an early stage and particularly in the neurosurgical clinical examination would enhance the slightest possibility of recovery, theoretically almost transforming it into a concrete possibility. This book has a precise goal: to examine the "germ" of diagnostic suspicion, which is the true salt of medical art for every physician, general practitioner and specialist alike. In some cases also the characteristics of the late clinical picture are presented: today, though, this must be considered as a medical failure.

Oncological surgeons are often requested in their clinical practice to identify and manage uncommon and complex situations. It is therefore of the utmost importance that they are well aware of the most recent technological evolutions, in order to achieve the best possible results in term of oncological outcome, with a concern on quality of life and economical issues. Furthermore, new techniques can give a fundamental contribution in overcoming the limitations of standard approaches.

An essential aim of this book is to underline the great importance and the need of an effective coordination of multi-disciplinary care among surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation therapists, plastic surgeons and ancillary services, in order to optimise patient outcome.

Beginning with the scientific basis of tumors, "The Surgery of Childhood Tumors" provides up-to-date information on epidemiology, cytogenetics and molecular biology, before looking at current treatments, integrating surgery, neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Additionally, a chapter on counseling reflects the book's holistic approach to treating children with cancer.

The chapters are written by world-renowned international authorities on pediatric cancer from major children's cancer groups in the UK, Europe and the US. Contributors discuss geographical variations in treatment for each type of tumor. Excellent full-colour pictures and detailed line drawings illustrate all aspects of managing childhood tumors, including technical details of operation which are often neglected in other texts. This comprehensive book provides a contemporary approach for pediatric, general and urological surgeons dealing with childhood tumors. New chapters in this second edition provide the latest developments and strategies in pediatric surgical oncology.

The incidence of endometrial cancer rose sharply in the United States in the early 1970s, paralleling changes in the use of postmenopausal estrogens by American women. A sizeable body of evidence supports the role of both excessive endogenous estrogen and exogenous estrogen in the etiology of endometrial cancer. There is growing evidence that inadequate progesterone has the opposite effect, in that progesterone supplementation of postmeno pausal estrogen therapy reduces the incidence of endometrial cancer. Despite this new awareness of the hormonal role that is played in carcino ma of the endometrium, the disease still plagues the oncologist. The general approach to carcinoma of the endometrium in the United States is that of primary surgical staging. This provides the maximum amount of information to best plan postoperative radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy for these patients. In general, patients who are considered candidates for surgical staging are those with advanced disease or high-risk stage I endometrial carcinoma. High-risk endometrial carcinoma is defined as those patients with moderately differentiated lesions with deep myometrial invasion, poor ly differentiated carcinoma of the endometrium, and the high-risk histolo gies such as papillary carcinoma and clear-cell carcinomas. The surgical staging has extended in most institutions to patients with occult stage II carcinoma of the endometrium, i. e."

This book reflects a broad spectrum of current opinions and progress in the surgical management of liver, pancreatic and biliary disease. The enormous advances in diagnostic imaging techniques and in interven tional, radiological and biliary approaches, the pathophysiological problems and their management manifest often as complications in the post-operative period, new techniques and the results of surgical approaches are all thorough ly documented. Historical background is commented upon by Dr. Kenneth Warren of Boston in the first chapter. Subsequent chapters deal with a variety of subjects but always emphasizing differences of opinion and approach and maintaining the discussive environment so typical to the present-day approach to the topic. Professor Bengmark's efforts to introduce a forum for wide discussion for diseases of the liver, pancreas and biliary tract and many recent advances in research and technology to aspects of the clinical management and outcome of patients is well rewarded in this balanced publication. Advances in this field of surgery have been and continue to be so rapid that such documentation is not only necessary but very welcome."

This volume provides a biological and pharmacological background for regional cancer therapy, strategies and techniques for regional therapies, and specific indications and results for different tumor entities. Clinical trial concepts and detailed treatment protocols are also presented. This book is essential reading for researchers and clinicians engaged in seeking advanced therapeutic options for cancer patients worldwide.

This is the first book that discusses subjects of diagnosis, therapy, therapy assessment, and prognosis of breast cancer in one single volume.
Cancer killed 6.7 million people around the world in 2002 and this figure is expected to rise to 10.1 million in 2020. Approximately, 189,510 new cases of breast cancer were reported in 2007 in the United States, and 40,910 died in the same year.
Focusing on Breast Carcinoma, this first volume in the series Methods of Cancer Diagnosis, Therapy and Prognosis brings together 56 leading scientists from around the world to deliver a comprehensive treatise on all aspects of breast cancer, including diagnosis, treatments and prognosis. Scientists and clinicians have contributed state of the art chapters on their respective areas of expertise providing the reader a whole field view of breast cancer management.
This fully illustrated volume:
* Presents a constructive evaluation of commonly used methods for elucidating primary and secondary cancer initiation, progression, relapse, and metastasis.
* Highlights methods of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment assessment including various imaging modalities such as ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, immunohistochemistry and histochemistry.
* Discusses detailed therapeutic protocols, including both their benefits and side-effects.
* Discusses examples of breast cancer treatments includingchemotherapy, radiation, chemoradiation, surgery, hormonal - and immunotherapy
* Details the molecular processes that lead to the development and proliferation of cancer cells
* Includes recent major advances in cancer diagnosis and therapy assessment
Professor Hayat has summarized the problems associated with the complexities of research publications and has been successful in editinga must-read volume for oncologists, cancer researchers, medical teachers and students of cancer biology.

This volume contains papers presented at the NATO Advanced Research Workshop on the Structure and Dynamics of Partially Solidified Systems held at Stanford Sierra Lodge, Tahoe, California, May 12-16, 1986. This work shop grew out of a realization that there was a significant amount of interest and activity in this topic in several unrelated disciplines, and that it would be mutually beneficial to bring together those mathemati' cians, scientists and engineers interested in this subject to share their knowledge and ideas with each other. Partially solidified systems occur in a variety of natural and man made environments. Perhaps the most well-known occurrence involves the solidification of metallic alloys. Typically as a molten alloy is cooled, the solid phase advances from the cold boundary into the liquid as a branching forest of dendritic crystals. This creates a region of mixed solid and liquid phases, commonly referred to as a mushy zone, in which the solid forms a rigidly connected framework with the liquid occurring in the intercrystalline gaps. In addition to the casting of metallic alloys, mushy zones can occur in weld pools, the Earth's core and. mantle, magma chambers, temperate glaciers, frozen soils, frozen lakes and sea ice. A second mechanical configuration for the solid phase is as a suspension of small crystals within the liquid; this is referred to as a slurry."

Malignant neoplasms occurring in the biliary tract and pancreas remain a therap- tic challenge. The mechanism of carcinogenesis as well as the growth and spread of these tumors is still poorly understood, making the development of rational tre- ment strategies difficult. In order to improve the clinical results achieved by sur- cal or other medical treatment of such malignant tumors, the establishment of an experimental animal model is critical. For this purpose, attempts were made to induce carcinoma experimentally in the biliary tree and finally an animal model using the hamster was established in 1994 at our laboratory. Because the tumor in this model mimicked the characteristics of human tumors, a series of experimental investigations were conducted to clarify the pathological characteristics of biliary carcinoma, the genetic alterations during biliary carcinogenesis, and the relationship between biliary inflammation and c- cinogenesis. The chemopreventive effects on the occurrence of biliary carcinoma were also successfully examined. In addition, in vitro studies led to the establi- ment of transplantable biliary cancer cell lines and biliary epithelial cell lines by utilizing the hamster model. This monograph represents the collective efforts in hepato-biliary and pancreatic disease research over the past 20 years. I hope that this monograph will be a source of useful knowledge for basic researchers as well as for clinicians involved in the care of patients with hepato-biliary and pancreatic neoplasms. Takashi Kanematsu, M.D., Ph.D.

Surgery in Breast Cancer and Melanoma provides an illustrative, instructive, and comprehensive review that depicts the rationale of basic operative principles essential to oncological surgical therapy. The chapters provide pertinent and concise summaries of how to deal with benign and malignant problems in the breast and skin soft tissues. Stages of operative approaches with relevant technical considerations are outlined in an easily understandable manner. Complications are reviewed when appropriate for the organ system and problem. The text is illustrated throughout by line drawings and photographs that depict anatomic or technical principles. A concise, handbook-sized reference work, this book is a valuable resource for all general surgeons and residents in training.

This is the first book to cover minimal-invasive treatment of osteoporotic, tumorous and traumatic vertebral fractures in the English language. In addition to detailed descriptions of the techniques, including tips and tricks from experts, the book contains a chapter about the medical treatment of osteoporosis, which is indispensable in the interdisciplinary approach to osteoporosis. This acclaimed innovative concept unites several treatment aspects. More conservative treatment methods are also presented in this work.

All chapters reflect new developments and clinical findings in the field of orthopaedics, surgery, traumatology and neurosurgery.

This volume provides a comprehensive account of the use of MRI and CT cross-sectional imaging techniques to identify and characterize developmental anomalies and acquired diseases of the female genital tract. Benign and malignant diseases are considered, and attention is also paid to normal anatomical findings and variants. Emphasis is on the most recent diagnostic and technical advances, and the text is complemented by detailed illustrations.

Exciting advances are occurring in the understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of squamous head and neck cancers. Epidemiology, staging and screening, as well as premalignancy, chemoprevention and the molecular biology of head and neck cancer, lay the groundwork for the understanding of the clinical chapters that follow. Controversial treatments will be compared to the standard management of patient care. Therapy chapters are divided into stage or category specific (resectable advanced, unresectable advanced or metastatic) problems, allowing the reader to review the current standards and options for patient types or specific patients easily. Considerations of supportive care, late toxicities and quality of life, often overlooked are reviewed in detail.

This is a comprehensive summary of the current state of the art research and treatment.

Surgery continues to be the most effective treatment of solid tumors in terms of recovery, while its combination with other treatments improves the survival curves especially in the advanced forms of the disease. The aim of my task first of all has been to provide readers with both the current and constantly evolving pathophysiologic knowledge required for building the foundation of a specific education enabling surgeons to meet the fundamental targets in surgical oncology. Secondly, this volume aims to present an update on the real possibilities offered by the cooperation between surgeon and pathologist and by chemotherapy, radiotherapy and gene therapy in the treatment of tumors in the light of the most recent scientific achievements. Lastly, the report presents the experiences and cases drawn mostly from our School regarding some of the major issues in oncologic surgery. This overview does not pretend to elucidate or to summarize all aspects of oncologic surgery, but rather to be the result of a general consideration on cancer surgery, on its rational bases, on its interaction with other treatment modalities, on its desirable and expected developments and on its probable future evolution.

Handbook of Gastrointestinal Cancers is a practical guide to the management of colorectal, pancreatic, hepatocellular, gastric, and esophageal cancers as well as other cancers of the upper and lower GI tract. Edited by a multidisciplinary group of oncologists from leading institutions, this book is an essential day-to-day reference for evidence-based treatment and patient care. The handbook focuses on treatment strategies and approaches to cancerous GI tumors that are transforming the recent oncological landscape, including expert-given guidance on methods such as neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy, surgical transplant, radiation therapy, molecular diagnostic testing leading to molecularly targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. With so many advances in the current field, it is increasingly difficult for early-career practitioners to grasp the entirety of practices and for seasoned oncologists to keep up with newly approved therapies, side effects to treatments, and special clinical management considerations, but this handbook addresses it all. Organized by major GI disease sites and featuring "How I Treat" case vignettes from world experts for common and uncommon management considerations, the handbook brings an experience-based perspective to these tough-to-treat areas. The treatment strategies and applications set forth in the chapters are pertinent to clinical situations and clinical decision-making encountered in practice. Handbook of Gastrointestinal Cancers is a valuable resource for medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and surgeons treating and managing gastrointestinal cancers as well as trainees in medical, radiation, and surgical oncology programs needing an accessible point of care resource. Key Features: Provides treatment plans and recommendations for each stage of a range of gastrointestinal cancers, including colorectal, pancreatic, and hepatocellular cancers plus more Includes patient vignettes told from the physician's point of view within each clinical chapter Outlines special considerations for the elderly and for survivors of GI cancers Highlights important clinical guidance on nutritional and palliative concerns commonly seen in patients with GI cancers

This totally revised and enlarged new edition offers concise and well-structured chapters each focusing on the clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of a condition commonly encountered by the coloproctologist and gastroenterological surgeon, who are faced with an increasing number of precise and specific treatment modalities. The comprehensive, yet easy-to-read, information in this practical guide on both common and rare anorectal and colonic diseases is particularly important for both the practitioner, who needs to know all the possible modalities of conservative and surgical treatment, and the surgeon, who needs to adapt his surgical procedure to the clinical and anatomical findings. Precise guidelines are given and surgical techniques illustrated. Each chapter is completed with up-to-date references and a self-assessment quiz, and a DVD is included.

I chirurghi oncologici nella loro pratica clinica quotidiana spesso sono chiamati ad affrontare situazioni particolari o molto complesse che devono quindi essere in grado di individuare e di saper gestire. L aggiornamento qui offerto sulle piu recenti evoluzioni tecniche in chirurgia oncologica e necessario per raggiungere i migliori risultati possibili in termini di remissione e di qualita della vita del paziente. L introduzione delle nuove tecniche presentate nel volume e fondamentale per superare i limiti imposti dalle procedure standard. Nuove tecnologie chirurgiche in oncologia e un efficace strumento di aggiornamento che copre tutte le opzioni terapeutiche nel trattamento delle neoplasie e sottolinea la centralita del coordinamento interdisciplinare nella cura delle patologie oncologiche. Chirurghi, oncologi, radiologi, chirurghi estetici e personale infermieristico sono chiamati a lavorare in squadra e ad adottare un approccio integrato alla cura del paziente."

A critical review our current understanding of camptothecins, their shortcomings, and of the possibilities for improving their clinical performance. The authors discuss new camptothecin analog development, drug delivery issues for optimizing their anticancer activity, and their potential use in a variety of different cancers. Additional chapters describe what is known about the biochemistry, the pharmacology, and the chemistry of the camptothecins, including the mechanism of topoisomerase and how camptothecins poison this enzyme, the use of animal models in defining the anticancer potential of camptothecins, and the question of camptothecin resistance.

Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the US and the third most recently linked to cancer deaths. The national annual incidence rate of colorectal cancer is approximately 148,000+, striking slightly more females than males. The lifetime risk of colorectal cancer is 5-6%, however patients with a familial risk (with two or more first or second degree relatives) make up 20% of the patients. Persons who carry genetic mutations linked to hereditary colorectal cancer are the most likely to develop the disease.

The new WHO Classification of Lung and Pleural Tumours updates the previous proposal from 1981 and incorporates many new concepts that have developed since that time. A number of newly described lesions are included as well as current concepts in papillomas, adenomas, neuroendocrine tumours, adenocarcinomas, mesothelial tumours, and carcinomas with pleomorphic, sarcomatoid and sarcomatous features. The result is a comprehensive classification with detailed definitions and explantory notes illustrated by 150 high quality color photomicrographs that will promote uniformity in recording and reporting data nationally and internationally. The WHO panel consisted of 24 members from 14 countries giving a broad international input into this work.

Novalis (R) Shaped Beam Radiosurgery has set new standards by delivering highly precise radiation treatments to tumors anywhere in the body through the use of a proprietary multileaf collimator. By shaping the radiation beam to the exact contours of the tumor or lesion, Novalis permits maximum dose delivery to the entire tumor while protecting healthy tissue; this makes it eminently suitable for the treatment of irregularly shaped tumors. This book provides a complete guide to radiosurgery treatments with Novalis. After a thorough discussion of the clinical and technical basis for Shaped Beam Radiosurgery, current clinical applications are considered in detail, including brain, body, skull base, and spinal tumors as well as arteriovenous malformations. Careful consideration is also given to future developments and applications, including new technologies that promise to offer even more accurate treatments. This state-of-the-art book will appeal to a wide audience of physicians and their multidisciplinary clinical and technical collaborators.

Despite the rising popularity of the minimally invasive laparoscopic option, open nephron-sparing surgery is still seen by many experts as the 'gold standard' for open surgery for kidney tumors and should remain the first choice for many patients. This challenges the idea that less-invasive therapies are always more desirable than open surgery. While laparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery may be a more attractive option for treating small, easily accessible kidney tumors, for large tumors this is not always the case. Nephron-sparing surgery is a outstanding text that analyses all forms of surgery, open or laparoscopic, as well as providing a backdrop on renal cell carcinoma in general, and the complications and outcomes following surgery that both surgeon and patient will face. Featuring 100 colour photos, the text includes chapters on: Imaging renal masses: current status Open nephron-sparing surgery for renal cell carcinoma Minimally invasive approaches for renal cell carcinoma: an overview Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy Controversies in nephron-sparing surgery Renal cell carcinoma: long-term outcome following nephron-sparing surgery Dr Sasidharan and Professor Soloway have created a superb text covering all aspects of nephron-sparing surgery that should provide excellent guidance for all those who are just beginning to perform nephron-sparing surgery or act as an aide-memoire for those familiar with nephron-sparing surgery.

One in two of us will develop cancer at some point in our lives and yet many of us don't understand how cancers arise. How many different kinds of cancer are there? What treatments are available? What does the future hold in terms of developing new therapies? This book demystifies cancer by explaining the underlying cell and molecular biology in a clear and accessible style. It answers the questions commonly asked about cancer such as what causes cancer and how cancer develops. It explains how DNA makes proteins and how mutations can corrupt those proteins. It also gives an overview of current therapies and how treatments may advance over the next decades, as well as explaining what actions we can take to help prevent cancer developing. Understanding Cancer is an accessible and engaging introduction to cancer biology for any interested reader.

Intended for medical oncologists, surgeons, obstetricians, gynecologists, geneticists, genetic counselors, and primary care physicians, this text presents the epidemiological, biological, and clinical issues associated with hereditary breast cancer. It offers clear guidance on the application and utilization of cancer risk assessment models, genetic counseling and testing of high risk patients, and screening and prevention options for individuals at risk of hereditary breast cancer. Addressing every essential aspect of hereditary breast cancer, this source offers comprehensive analyses of hereditary breast cancer-associated syndromes, low penetrance genes, and hereditary breast cancer associated with mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.