Molecular Pathology Of Gynecologic Cancer

This book focuses on putting successful molecular strategies into practice for the treatment of gynecologic cancer. It approaches research into the pathology and treatment of gynecologic oncology from both clinical and experimental perspectives. New insights made possible by the introduction of advanced technologies into the field are presented. This new volume will be necessary reading for clinicians and experimental researchers alike.

This text provides a comprehensive review for practicing pathologists to understand the molecular biology, diagnostics, and predictive markers and implications for therapy of uterine cancer. While molecular based therapeutic strategies for uterine cancer are not as well developed as for some other organ sites, these are the most common gynecologic malignancies and there have been many important recent developments that are discussed in this volume. Comprehensive chapters address essential information about endometrial carcinoma, uterine mesenchymal tumors, and cervical carcinoma and include the pathogenesis of carcinoma and discuss molecular based classification, biomarkers, therapy, prevention, and hereditary cancers of the uterus. Precision Molecular Pathology of Uterine Cancer is a unique and one of a kind resource for practicing pathologists, pathologists in training and gynecologists.

For the Editors, the task of writing a Preface is most satisfying. It represents the completion of the book and a moment of reflection on whether the whole is more than the sum of all the parts. And also, one must reflect on how this book is likely to be utilized in this era of rapid communications. The Editors first met in May 2003 at a stimulating Italian symposium on endometrial cancer (organizers Drs. Luigi Frigerio, Roberto Grassi and Andrea Lissoni, with participation of the deans of Italian Gynecologic Oncology, Ugo Bianchi and Constantino Mangioni) that took place at Bergamo and Caravaggio. The impressive gains in biology and clinical trials were further discussed by the two editors and others that are co-authors in this venture on this side of the Atlantic at a 2004 Educational Session at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). The pace of progress in various aspects of management of uterine cancer was no- worthy, not only was tumor biology fueling novel hypotheses such as questioning the mesenchymal origin of carcinosarcomas, but knowledge of molecular pathways was beginning to be applied as prognostic and as predictive factors portending benefit from systemic therapies. Surgical staging and sensitive imaging provided the underpinning for refining our treatment algorithms. Finally, a role for che- therapy had finally become established, principally through phase III studies c- paring chemotherapy to radiation in mostly locally advanced stages III and IV that had undergone resection.

Clinically accessible information for pathologists on the fast moving field of molecular pathology and oncology, addressing molecular and genetic approaches to the diagnosis and classification of tumors, predictive biomarkers for treatment response and disease progression. Recurrent in this series, summaries are provided of Key Features of tumor, Key molecular prognostic markers and therapeutic markers, Tumor suppressor genes, and Oncogenes. Topics include molecular pathology of: Breast, Gastrointestinal, Head and Neck, Genitourinary, Gynecologic, Hematopathology, Lung, Neuropathology, Pancreas/Biliary, and Sarcome.

In recent years, there have been major advances in the treatment of patients with gynecologic malignancies. Perhaps the biggest advances have been in the area of ovarian cancer. Gynecologic Oncology focuses primarily upon this malignancy. This volume discusses cytoreductive surgery; screening for ovarian cancer; chemotherapy; new chemotherapeutic drugs; the controversy regarding the role of high-dose chemotherapy in gynecologic cancers; the hereditary basis for gynecologic malignancies; molecular genetics; molecular biology and new biologic therapies. Other topics covered are the treatment of all stages of cervical cancer, including radiotherapy. In addition, a chapter on advances in the pathology of gynecologic cancers is included. The advances made in the treatment of gynecologic malignancies are due, in part, to the clinical studies performed by many of the contributors to this volume. Clinical advances have been the result of multidisciplinary approaches which involve molecular biologists, pathologists, radiation therapists, surgeons and chemotherapists. Future advances will continue to rely upon collaborative interaction among these different disciplines.

This volume provides a comprehensive review of the molecular mechanisms involved in precancerous lesions and benign and malignant breast tumors. Given the complex molecular pathways in breast cancer biology, the book simplifies these complex mechanisms and highlights the practical issues important for daily practice. Sections are structured to review breast carcinogenesis and the role of familial predisposition and stem cells in initiation and progression of breast cancer. In-depth chapters present morphologic and molecular correlations in precancerous and malignant breast lesions, while outlining highly practical issues that are in practice today in breast pathology, such as evaluation of estrogen, progesterone receptors, and HER-2. Written by experts in the field, Precision Molecular Pathology of Breast Cancer is a valuable resource that covers the current practice of breast pathology and looks into the future with an emphasis on the molecular basis of breast cancer.

This book summarizes the important developments in the field of cancer research, specifically uterine cervical/endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer. It highlights the recent advances in gynecologic cancer, such as next generation models of genetically engineered animal models or cancer cell lines, focusing on their significance for advancing our understanding of gynecologic cancer biology, prevention and treatment, and drug response and resistance. Cancer research in the area of gynecologic tumors has undergone an enormous transformation over the past decade, with a greater understanding of tumor biology, elucidation of novel targets for therapeutic intervention, and better recognition of genetic predisposition syndromes. At the same time, the recent advances in basic cancer research have provided key insights into all aspects of gynecologic cancer biology, including developmental pathways and the impact of lineage plasticity, understanding metastatic progression, uncovering the roles of the tumor microenvironment , exploring tumor evolution, and discovering new therapeutic approaches and mechanisms of drug sensitivity and adaptive response. Molecular Diagnosis and Targeting for Gynecologic Malignancy appeals to investigators, clinicians, residents and postdocs who are curious about new research on gynecologic malignancies. It not only presents basic and translational research, but also explores the generalizability of the evidence covering the interface between basic and clinical science. Furthermore, a number of the topics offer the basis for new ideas that have the potential to advance into the gynecologic malignancies. This book provides readers with state-of-the-art information that will help improve the lives of patients with these challenging diseases.