Non Small Cell Lung Cancer

As with other books in the Molecular Pathology Library Series, Molecular Pathology of Lung Cancer bridges the gap between the molecular specialist and the clinical practitioner, including the surgical pathologist who now has a key role in decisions regarding molecular targeted therapy for lung cancer. Molecular Pathology of Lung Cancer provides the latest information and current insights into the molecular basis for lung cancer, including precursor and preinvasive lesions, molecular diagnosis, molecular targeted therapy, molecular prognosis, molecular radiology and related fields for lung cancer generally and for the specific cell types. As many fundamental concepts about lung cancer have undergone revision in only the past few years, this book will likely be the first to comprehensively cover the new molecular pathology of lung cancer. It provides a foundation in this field for pathologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, thoracic surgeons, thoracic radiologists and their trainees, physician assistants, and nursing staff.

Providing a historical perspective on the etiology of lung cancer, this comprehensive reference presents an in-depth analysis of the epidemiology of cancer of the lung-describing the current understanding of risk factors and the use of epidemiological data to design programs for the control of this leading cause of death worldwide.

Despite an overall decrease in tobacco use, lung cancer (80–85% of which is non-small-cell lung cancer [NSCLC]) is still the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women worldwide. Annual low-dose CT screening of high-risk individuals has the potential to detect early-stage tumors, which can usually be successfully treated with a combination of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy and, in some cases, targeted therapy. However, most patients with NSCLC still present with advanced or metastatic disease. For these patients, initial therapy is guided by the tumor’s molecular characteristics and patient’s performance status. Targeted therapies have significantly improved clinical outcomes and, for some patients with no targetable genetic alterations, immunotherapy has demonstrated significant overall survival benefit. This insightful guide is designed to bring you up to speed with the latest developments and is important reading for all health professionals and medical trainees working in this fast-moving field. Table of Contents: • Prevention and screening • Diagnosis and staging • Surgery • Radiotherapy • Systemic therapy in non-metastatic NSCLC • Systemic therapy in advanced-stage/metastatic disease without a molecular driver • Personalized treatment in advanced NSCLC • Oligometastatic disease and brain metastases

This book highlights the differences, in terms of neoplastic dissemination pathways, between various types of thoracic cancers. It presents and discusses a comprehensive schematic overview of tumors of the lung parenchyma, of the mediastinum, of the pleura, and of the chest wall. For each tumor, it details the local spread and the lymphatic and vascular dissemination, and it describes the challenging staging of lung tumors with mutations. Illustrations and artwork enrich the content and help readers to understand and visualize tumor spread. The book is of great interest to professionals involved in the study, diagnosis and treatment of thoracic pathologies, as well as to residents in radiology, oncology and pulmonology.