Cancer [antikvár]

PREFACE The practice of oncology is in a period of significant change. Increased understanding of the basic mechanisms of the molecular biology of the cell are having an impact throughout the broad rangé of oncologic practice, including cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Physicians have need for a comprehensive source of information about these rapidly developing areas of oncology as well as for a well-coordinated, balanced multimodality approach to the management of cancer patients through all stages of disease. The fifth edition of Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology is an attempt to meet those needs. As in the previous editions, the editors have attempted to provide a balance between what is established and what is new as it relates to the care of the cancer patient. Effort has been made to provide an up-to-date description of the current state of knowledge concerning cancer management with a balanced approach to the coordination of all effective treatment modalities. New information on cell and molecular biology has been presented in a formát designed for the practicing oncologist and provides not only an explanation of the scientific base of these new efforts but alsó a practical guide to their application to the practice of oncology. The text has been dramatically reorganized to accommodate these rapidly moving areas of oncologic knowledge. A primer of modern science, "Essentials of Modern Oncologic Science," has been added to the front of the book. These chapters-on the essentials of molecular biology, signal transduction, and immunology-provide the underpinnings of information necessary to understand the applications of these sciences to the treatment of cancer patients. In Part 2, "Principles of Oncology," updated information on the cell cycle, cytogenetics, the metastatic process, and the viral, chemical, physical, and hormonal causes of cancer is presented. In addition to the principles of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery, the principles of cancer management related to molecular pathology, cancer genetics, and biologic therapy are described, with an emphasis on how these new areas are affecting oncologic practice. Increased emphasis is placed on cancer prevention, including new chapters dealing with diet and risk reduction relevant to cancer patients. The ethical issues raised by many of these new areas of oncology are dealt with in a new chapter of the book. Much of Part 3, "Practice of Oncology," is new. Each series of chapter sections dealing with cancers of individual organ systems is preceded by a short section on the molecular biology of that organ site. These introductory sections for each major cancer type are entirely new and provide the clinician with an up-to-date source of information about the scientific developments dealing with that organ site. As in previous editions, an emphasis has been placed on the balanced coordination of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and biologic therapy in the treatment of patients by stage of disease. Supportive and palliative care alsó receive a major emphasis in "Practice of Oncology." Increased quality of life of cancer patients is described as consistent improvements have occurred in the management of the side effects of treatment and the specialized care of the terminally ill. The dramatic changes that are taking place in the deliver)' of health care are dealt with in new chapters in this edition that cover the impact of health care reform in oncology, regulatory issues relevant to the development of new treatments, and the many ethical issues raised by society's changing approach to the care of patients with debilitating disease. As in previous editions, Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology ends with a part dealing with newer approaches to cancer treatment that considers exciting new developments in the gene therapy of cancer, cancer vaccines, and new approaches to improving conventional treatments.