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.

The methods of molecular biology, biochemistry, immunocytochem istry, and in-situ hybridization introduce new opportunities for the classification and functional characterization of cell receptors under normal conditions and for a better understanding of pathogenetic mechanisms in human diseases. The cellular localization and trans location of receptor proteins can be identified using morphological methods, and it is apparent that receptors and receptor defects play an important role in pathology, notably in genetic diseases, endocrine disorders, atherosclerosis, infections, and cancer. In this volume in ternational experts give a current review of the morphology and pathological aspects of cell receptors. The complex communication of multicellular organisms is coordi nated by two regulatory systems: neural and humoral. Both systems function via signaling substances (ligands) and signal-recognizing and -transmitting molecules, called receptors. The historical develop ment of the receptor concept is based upon Paul Ehrlich's theory of "receptors in the immune system," Langley's "receptive substances in postssynaptic membranes," and Earl Sutherland's discovery of "sec ond messengers" (cAMP and Ca2])."

Diese Neuauflage integriert verschiedene Abschnitte aus Band 3 der ersten Auflage: Weibliches Genitale Mamma, Pathologie der Schwangerschaft, der Plazenta und des Neugeborenen, Infektionskrankheiten des Fetus und des Neugeborenen, Tumoren des Kindesalters und Endokrine Organe. Alle Kapitel sind komplett aktualisiert, didaktisch neu konzipiert und noch ubersichtlicher gestaltet.