Tumors of the Newborn and Infant [antikvár]

PREFACE Neoplasms that affect the newborn and infant differ in several respects from those seen at later ages. These tumors are perhaps the most likely causes of difficulty in diagnosis for pathologists. This book presents the gross pathologic and histopathologic features of these tumors as well as some clinical aspects of both neoplastic diseases and tumorlike conditions in these young patients. For the past 27 years I have been intensely interested in this subject, and this work is based to a large extent on my own experience at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Most of the illustrations are taken directly from cases I personally examined, including more than 5,000 surgical and autopsy tumor specimens obtained from infants and children during this quarter century. Although this work is intended primarily for pathologists, its content is appropriate for clinical application. Pediatricians, pediatric surgeons, and radiologists may find it of interest and benefit. To illustrate the various tumors of the neonate and infant as comprehensively as possible, I have used the case presentation method in many instances. I hope this provides correlation between a given tumor, its clinical presentation, and its pathologic findings. Treatment can then be planned. The selection of tumors is based on what I believe a pediatric pathologist engaged in routine hospital work may expect to see. This includes tumors that must be diagnosed by biopsy or by postmortem examination. References are given for the more unusual, exotic tumors not discussed in detail in this text. Comprehensive reviews and textbooks on the genetics, molecular biology, and treatment of tumors are available, and I have not attempted a complete presentation of these subjects. This book does provide a basis for the study of neoplasms in the newborn and infant and the opportunity for familiarization of the clinician and pathologist with these unique tumors and tumorlike conditions. The ultimate goal is to help both pathologist and clinician achieve an accurate diagnosis and to clearly understand these lesions so that proper treatment can be initiated. I wish to acknowledge the secretarial assistance of Miss Renee Brown and the photographic assistance of Mr. Darkin Chan. Hart Isaacs, Jr., M.D. vii