This issue of Surgical Oncology Clinics, Guest Edited by Dr. Steven Curley, presents various articles on the subject of Ablative Procedures. Articles include: The History of Ablation; Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC); RFA of Colorectal Cancer; RFA of Neuroendocrine Metastases; Basic Science Research; Ablation Kidney Lesions; High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU); Microwave Coagulation; Ablation of Bone Metastases; Ablation Breast; Ablation Lung Lesions; and Planning and Follow-up After Ablation.

Liver Cancer, the inaugural volume in the M.D. Anderson Solid Tumor Oncology series, provides the general surgeon, surgical oncologist, and medical oncologist with the most up-to-date and current standard of multimodality care for hepatobiliary cancer. Surgical approaches, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, gene therapy, and radiotherapy are all presented, giving the practitioner a much needed, comprehensive perspective on all aspects of patient care. The MD Anderson Solid Tumor Oncology series features cutting-edge, indepth information of vital interest to all practitioners in today's captitated financial milieu. Providers must understand how their component of care interdigitates with the varied medical and surgical teams and apply multimodality approaches to their practice environments.

Radiofrequency Ablation of Cancer: Current Techniques, Indications and Outcomes discusses the principles and techniques of safe usage of radiofrequency current for the treatment of malignancies. Throughout the text, indications and outcomes data are stressed. Edited and authored by pioneers in the field, the book features extensive discussion of RFA for hepatic tumors, including treatment of liver metastases from colorectal cancer, combined modality therapy for liver metastases, treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with RFA, laparoscopic RFA, percutaneous RFA, and hepatic metastases from neuroendocrine tumors. In addition, chapters consider the emerging role of RFA in the management of primary breast cancer, primary bone tumors as well as metastatic bone tumors, renal tumors, and lung tumors. The principles and instrumentation as well as the imaging aspects of RFA are presented with comprehensive chapters on ultrasound, MRI, PET and CT by leaders in the field. Complemented by 90 illustrations, this text is the gold standard reference on the use of RFA in treating a wide variety of malignant processes. It will serve as a valuable reference for all physicians engaged in the care of cancer patients.

Liver Cancer provides the general surgeon, surgical oncologist, and medical oncologist with the most current standard of multimodality care for hepatobiliary cancer. Surgical approaches, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, gene therapy, and radiotherapy are all presented.

Gastrointestinal cancer includes cancer of the digestive system - the esophagus, colon, rectum, anus, liver, pancreas, and other digestive organs. Taken as a whole, there are an estimated 250,600 new cases in the US. Colon and rectum cancer is the third leading cause of cancer and cancer deaths in the US.

Gastrointestinal Cancer is the third volume in the M.D. Anderson Cancer Care series, featuring the current standard approach to GI cancer care from the experts at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Designed for the practicing oncologist, this clinical guidebook allows for quick, authoritative access to the latest and best multimodality therapies. Topics covered in this volume include AJCC staging of gastrointestinal malignancies, recent advances in histopathology of gastroinestinal cancers, imaging techniques and endoscopy in the management of GI malignancies, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, anal cancer, and palliative therapy. Each of the 20 chapters ends with an up-to-date list of suggested readings, as well as "key practice points" highlighting the most principles and practices of each chapter for at-a-glance reference. More than 80 illustrations complement the text. This thorough, practical volume is the essential clinical guide for the oncologists, surgeons, and all physicians involved in the care of patients with GI cancer.

In IN MY HANDS, surgical oncologist Dr. Steven Curley shares the empowering lessons he's learned over 25 years from his cancer patients' unique stories of struggle, perseverance, and triumph. As Chief of Surgical Oncology at Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. Steven Curley has worked with cancer patients for over two decades. While his life's work has been to help his patients live longer lives, he found that they helped him in ways he never could have expected. IN MY HANDS is a rare, often emotional look at some of Dr. Curley's real patients and real situations in modern cancer care. These stories of resilience, hope, and determination changed and inspired Dr. Curley, and he uses these same stories to encourage patients dealing with the fear and uncertainty coupled with a diagnosis of cancer. Every story in the book has a theme inspired by his patients: Hope, Courage, Strength, Determination, Wonder, Cooperation, Creativity, Diligence, Service, Perseverance, Wisdom, Grace, Consideration, Gratitude, Discernment, Reverence, Resourcefulness, Faith, Beauty, Acceptance, and Empathy. Some are positive messages, reminding us of the importance of maintaining balance between family, work, and leisure activities. Others are examples of the remarkable resilience of the human spirit when facing the reality of and the surgical risks that accompany a cancer diagnosis. Realistically, despite remarkable advances in multidisciplinary cancer care, some remind us cancer is still a potentially lethal and destructive disease affecting patients and the family and friends supporting them. While many people are told that there is no hope in their situation, Dr. Curley's patients taught him to always provide hope, to push the envelope and give people a chance, and that hope is a critical component of treatment and care. IN MY HANDS is medical narrative at its finest, and provides insight into medicine and patient care along with fascinating details about one of our most feared diseases.

Radiofrequency Ablation of Cancer: Current Indications, Techniques and Outcomes discusses the principles and techniques of safe usage of radiofrequency current for the treatment of malignancies. Throughout the text, indications and outcomes data are stressed. Edited and authored by pioneers in the field, the book features extensive discussion of RFA for hepatic tumors, including treatment of liver metastases from colorectal cancer, combined modality therapy for liver metastases, treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with RFA, laparoscopic RFA, percutaneous RFA, and hepatic metastases from neuroendocrine tumors. In addition, chapters consider the emerging role of RFA in the management of primary breast cancer, primary bone tumors as well as metastatic bone tumors, renal tumors, and lung tumors. The principles and instrumentation as well as the imaging aspects of RFA are presented with comprehensive chapters on ultrasound, MRI, PET and CT by leaders in the field. Complemented by 90 illustrations, this text is the gold standard reference on the use of RFA in treating a wide variety of malignant processes. It will serve as a valuable reference for all physicians engaged in the care of cancer patients.