Molecular Pathogenesis Of Pancreatic Cancer

This book was written to summarize the midterm meeting of the concerted action BMH4-CT98-3085 funded by the European Union in the context of the BIOMEDII programme. The objective of this concerted action (CA) is to generate a European network allowing to share expertise, technologies and resources to speed up the process of characterization of potential new disease genes in pancreatic cancer. The meeting in Barcelona in November 1999 was hosted by the group at the IMIM led by F.X. Real, and was scheduled to allow a midterm evaluation of the individual projects.

A distinguished panel of world authorities reviews the current state of today's understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of pancreatic cancer. Their cutting-edge reviews discuss both medical and surgical modalities and include numerous insights into the basic molecular processes underlying the disease. Among the key topics covered are the prospects for early diagnosis using molecular techniques, the latest diagnostic and therapeutic methods, the role of laparoscopy (diagnostic and therapeutic), and nonsurgical treatment. The reviewers also address the future possibilities for clinical advances, quality of life concerns, and the value of the Japanese "extended Whipple resection." Pancreatic Cancer will become the new standard reference for all clinicians who diagnose and treat this disease, as well as for basic scientists needing a summary of the many recent advances. i

This book covers pancreatic cancer risk factors, treatment and clinical procedures. It provides an outline of pancreatic cancer genetic risk factors, biomarkers and systems biology for the better understanding of disease. As pancreatic cancer suffers from lack of early diagnosis or prognosis markers, this book encompasses stem cell and genetic makers to identify the disease in early stages. The book uncovers the rationale and effectiveness of monotherapy and combination therapy in combating the devastating disease. As immunotherapy is emerging as an attractive approach to cease pancreatic cancer progression, the present book covers various aspects of immunotherapy including innate, adaptive, active, passive and bacterial approaches. Management of anesthesia during surgery and pain after surgery has been discussed. Book also takes the reader through the role of endoscopy and fine needle guided biopsies in diagnosing and observing the disease progression.

Dx/Rx: Pancreatic Cancer was recently honored with 4 Stars from Doody's Book Review! Written by two expert oncologists specializing in pancreatic cancer, Dx/Rx: Pancreatic Cancer is a concise pocket reference for all professional caregivers of patients with pancreatic cancer. This handy guide provides comprehensive, up-to-date information on the epidemiology, symptoms, diagnosis, and management of malignancies of the pancreas. Topics include detailed outline of the diagnosis process and staging, molecular pathogenesis, localized diseases and advanced cases, metastatic pancreatic cancer, uncommon pancreatic malignancies, and information on supportive care. Presented in a quick-reference format, Dx/Rx: Pancreatic Cancer is an essential guide for on the ward or in the clinic.

This book integrates the disciplines of cancer pathology and epidemiology to provide a synergistic and complementary approach to understanding the molecular mechanisms of cancer. This book provides relevant information on the diagnostic, prognostic and predictive molecular pathology of cancer. Epidemiological studies, including descriptive epidemiology, risk factors and molecular mechanisms of disease inform on the etiology and progression of cancer. The text concentrates on major cancers that are currently prevalent and those for which substantial molecular, pathological and epidemiological data is available. Each section is designed to provide an overview of that cancer type in terms of basic biology, review the current epidemiological data surrounding that cancer type and provide information on common practices and challenges related to the molecular pathology of that cancer type. Several relevant techniques in molecular pathology, which facilitate diagnosis and treatment are also explored. Pathology and Epidemiology of Cancer provides a succinct and comprehensive overview of multiple cancer types to guide clinicians during patient care and to guide scientists for innovations in research. It represents an integral resource for pathologists, epidemiologists, medical students as well as translational, basic and clinical science researchers who are all working to progress the field of cancer in terms of diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

Pancreatic cancer is a formidable disease, and advances in early detection and improved therapeutics have been slow to come forth. With new advances in molecular genetics in the field of pancreatic tumorigenesis, it is an opportune time to use these recent discoveries to enhance our understanding of pancreatic cancer biology and to improve outcomes in patients. In this volume, leading experts in the field shed light on these findings describing the mutational landscape of pancreatic cancer, including new inroads into our understanding of familial pancreatic cancer, epidemiology, the biology of K-ras signaling, and the emerging contribution of epigenetic alterations to disease initiation and progression. The distinctive pancreatic cancer-stroma ecosystem as determined by the dynamic interplay of inflammation, hallmark mutations, EMT, and cancer stem cells is described, and implications of these interactions in the context of development of novel, personalized therapeutic options are explored.

Gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies account for a large portion of cancers worldwide. Although incidence of esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancers has decreased in recent years, pancreatic and liver cancer have increased. The mainstay of GI cancer therapy is chemoradiation and surgery. Despite significant medical advancements, diagnosis and therapy for GI cancers remain challenging due to tumor cell resistance to chemoradiotherapy. The tumor’s increased cell signalling due to excessive transcription factor activation and increased stellate cell activity leads to collagen deposition formation of a dense stroma around the tumor, which prevents drugs from reaching the malignant cells. This leads to tumor chemoresistance. To circumvent these difficulties, drug therapy targeting the tumor’s specific microenvironment and the additive anticancer effect of phytochemicals can allow for more effective treatment. This volume will be the first on the market on the topic of phytochemicals and their effect on the tumor microenvironment (TME). TME is an emerging area of research and the book will be a welcome introductory addition to the field.