This reference provides a comprehensive overview of recent developments in basic research that are relevant to the application of retinoids for cancer prevention and treatment.;Organized in a quick-referral format by specific disease site, this book: describes the effects of retinoids on squamous differentiation in normal, pre-malignant, and malignant epithelial tissues; addresses the mechanisms by which cultured keratinocytes respond to retinoids; considers the antitumor activity of combination therapy with retinoids and cytokines; reviews the toxicity profiles of the vitamin A molecule and the synthetically derived retinoid compounds and their effects on humans; examines the use of retinoids in the prevention of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and in the therapy of advanced SCC; and summarizes data on the potential of retinoids to prevent epithelial cancer, to act as adjuvants to current therapies in early stages of the disease and to aid in the management of both solid tumours and hematologic malignancies.;A guide for the many disciplines involved in the preclinical studies and direct care of cancer patients, this book serves as useful reading for clinical, surgical and radiation oncologists; clinical immunologists; dermatologists; obstetricians/gynaecologists; haematologists; otolaryngologists; internists; nutritionists; and pulmonary-disease specialists.

The papers contained in this volume were presented ati the Golden Jubilee Cancer Prevention Conference, "The Biology and Prevention of Aerodigestive Tract Cancers," sponsored by The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, February 21-23, 1991. The purpose of the conference was to further the understanding of the biology, epidemiology, and prevention of aerodigestive tract cancers. Advances in under standing the biology of aerodigestive tract cancers have led to successful early chemoprevention trials. Chemopreventive agents in current use are capable 9f reversing premalignant lesions, as well as reducing the number of second primary cancers of the head and neck. These trials hold the promise that effective prevention methods for these cancers will be forthcoming in the foreseeable future. Carcinogenic exposures appear to affect the entiry epithelial lining of the upper aerodigestive tract, a phenomena described as "field cancerization. " This process contributes to the development of both synchronous and metachronous aerodigestive tract cancers. It also provides a sound rationale for the chemoprevention of these cancers. Animal models are important for identifying the critical components of field cancerization and for testing potentially new chemopreventive agents and regimens. The hamster lung carcinogen esis model and the hamster cheek model are discussed. Aerodigestive tract cancers account for about 20% of newly diagnosed invasive cancers. Cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption are the most important risk factors for these cancers."

Throughout the world, head and neck cancer is a major threat to public health and a significant challenge to both clinicians and basic scientists. Despite extensive efforts in primary prevention, screening, early detection, and therapy, long-term survival rates have not improved substantially in the last three decades. This book covers a wide range of exciting new findings in both clinical and basic sciences as they are relevant to head and neck cancer. These findings have recently enhanced our understanding of head and neck carcinogenesis at the genetic and molecular levels, offering the promise of improved preventive and therapeutic strategies. This book will also present information on the important clinical advances that have been made in chemoprevention, organ preservation, and the simultaneous use of chemo therapy and radiotherapy. The first part provides an overview of the etiology and biology of head and neck cancer, including an examination of human papillomaviruses in both benign and malignant lesions. This section also discusses the carcinogenic process at the genetic and molecular levels, as well as aberrant squamous differentiation; increased understanding of these areas has great potential to translate into new strategies for cancer prevention. The second part describes recent advances in developing a risk model for head and neck cancer, as well as the application of genetic susceptibility data in chemoprevention. This section also includes overviews of the status of chemoprevention trials and of the process of invasion and metastasis in head and neck cancer."

Throughout the world, head and neck cancer is a major threat to public health and a significant challenge to both clinicians and basic scientists. Despite extensive efforts in primary prevention, screening, early detection, and therapy, long-term survival rates have not improved substantially in the last three decades. This book covers a wide range of exciting new findings in both clinical and basic sciences as they are relevant to head and neck cancer. These findings have recently enhanced our understanding of head and neck carcinogenesis at the genetic and molecular levels, offering the promise of improved preventive and therapeutic strategies. The book also presents information on the important clinical advances that have been made in chemoprevention, organ preservation, and the simultaneous use of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The first section provides an overview of the etiology and biology of head and neck cancer, including an examination of human papillomaviruses in both benign and malignant lesions. This section also discusses the carcinogenic process at the genetic and molecular levels, as well as aberrant squamous differentiation; increased understanding of these areas has great potential to translate into new strategies for cancer prevention. The second section describes recent advances in developing a risk model for head and neck cancer, as well as the application of genetic susceptibility data in chemoprevention. This section also includes overviews of the status of chemoprevention trials and of the process of invasion and metastasis in head and neck cancer. The third section covers molecular studies of radioresistance, early detection of head and neck cancer, and theimplications of photodynamic therapy, while the fourth section of the book includes studies of the timing and sequencing of chemoradiotherapy. New strategies in this area have made a significantly increased feasibility of laryngeal preservation in the treatment of advanced laryngeal cancer. The fifth and last section discusses the management of clinically negative neck disease, the role of adjuvant therapy in preventing distant metastasis, and new strategies for the treatment of recurrent tumors. Finally, we close with some intriguing predictions for the future of head and neck cancer therapy.