Colorectal cancer has for more than two decades served as the paradigm for the multi-step concept of cancer initiation and progression. Perhaps more than any other organ site, cancer of the colon is extensively characterized at the molecular level. We are now entering a time when molecular classification, rather than histologic classification, of cancer subtypes is driving the development of clinical trials with emerging targeted therapies. The book will focus on the progression from the identification of mutations that drive colorectal cancer initiation and progression to the search for novel therapies to treat the disease.
An understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of colorectal cancer by researchers and clinicians is essential to facilitate progress in improving patient outcomes in this common cancer that still carries a poor prognosis if not identified early. This book covers the major areas of importance in the field, incorporating new knowledge that has arisen due to the advancement of molecular techniques and the ability to correlate molecular changes with clinical behaviour of tumours. Each chapter is a summary written by experts, concisely summarising current data as well as highlighting potential areas for advancement. Appreciating the differences between tumours on a molecular level is the key to developing and delivering precision medicine, and nowhere is this more critically required than in the field of colorectal cancer.
Since the third edition of Tumors of Domestic Animals there has been an enormous expansion of our knowledge about the melocular mechanisms of tumor development and the ancillary aids used diagnose neoplasms . The fourth edition condenses this new body of information and presents it in a way that is useful to diagnostic pathologists, residents, veterinarians, and oncologists. The format of the previous editions has been maintained, but the text and the illustrations are substantially changed or entirely different. Readers will be able to find salient clinical information, prevalence data, biological behavior, and most importantly, accurate information about gross and microscopic lesions to help diagnostic pathologists establish an accurate morphological diagnosis. The editor and authors of Tumors of Domestic Animals,all recognized experts in their fields, recognize the need for accurate morpological diagnoses in veterinary patient care, particularly with the numerous treatment modalities now available to oncologists and owners. This landmark reference in veterinary pathology provides the applicable information that clinical veterinarians need and want to make decisions about treatment of the animals in their care.
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, and the pathogenesis of this neoplasm is probably one of the most studied. The knowledge obtained over time has led to the development of screening and early diagnosis systems, allowing a significant reduction in the incidence of this neoplasm. However, what is currently known probably represents only the tip of the iceberg of the biology of this tumor. It was recently shown that the gut microbiota may contribute to colorectal cancerogenesis. In addition, several novel targeted therapies are now applied to patients with colorectal carcinoma. Nonetheless, several questions are still unanswered. Could the modulation of the gut microbiota modify the risk of tumor progression or the efficacy of therapies? Are there any predictive biomarkers of the risk of tumor progression or the efficacy of target therapies? Is metastatic colorectal cancer one or more diseases? This book collects a series of scientific articles reflecting part of the state of the art regarding colorectal cancer, seeking to answer these questions.
Foundations of Colorectal Cancer provides a holistic and comprehensive dive into colorectal cancer, discussing the contributions of each discipline that studies it, allowing its understanding from the most demographic and ethical facts, to the treatment process, its varieties and genetic background. Written by experts in diverse areas such as cancer research, oncology, genetics, biochemistry, psychology, social sciences, bioinformatics and palliative care, the book brings real-world experiences to help readers with any challenge they may face when dealing with patients or during their research workflow.The content is split into nine sections: Clinical manifestations and disease detection, covering primary and secondary prevention, and the role of primary care; Diagnosis and staging, discussing endoscopy, colonoscopy, molecular pathology, and anatomopathological diagnosis; Treatment, including endoscopic, surgical, radiological, and postoperative approaches; Molecular and biological mechanisms, with the role of intestinal microbiota, stem cells and signaling pathways; New diagnostic methods, encompassing biomarkers and bioinformatics tools for research; Biobanks, with an overview of their regulations and importance in the research; Epidemiological studies, focusing on incidence and mortality globally and by regions; Hereditary colorectal cancer, differentiating nonpolyposis and polyposis types; and Addressing the consequences of colorectal cancer, covering psychological effects, nutrition and ethical issues. - Provides a multidisciplinary approach with a holistic view of colorectal cancer, ranging from basic science to population studies, with its social and environmental influences and impacts, interpreting the disease as a medical, chemical, physical, microbial, psychological, and social condition - Written by a diverse group of specialists with complementary expertise, including oncologists, radiologists, biochemists, surgeons, psychologists, social workers and clinicians, all members of the Galician Research Network of Colorectal Cancer (REGICC) with vast collaboration experience to bring comprehensive knowledge on the subject - Encompasses reliable information suitable for different workers within the healthcare sector and research community dedicated to colorectal cancer, from clinicians and healthcare providers, researchers on several aspects of cancer, to bioinformaticians who deal with health data - Includes many case studies throughout the chapters discussed by specialists with high scientific accuracy and didactic value, in order to clearly and precisely share their professional experience on the subject with readers
Diagnostic Molecular Pathology: A Guide to Applied Molecular Testing, Second Edition assembles a group of experts to discuss the molecular basis and mechanisms of major human diseases and disease processes and how the molecular features of disease can be harnessed to develop practical molecular tests for disease detection, diagnosis and prognosis. The book explains how molecular tests are utilized in the treatment of patients in personalized medicine, highlights new technologies and approaches of applied molecular pathology, and discusses how this discovery-based research yields new and useful biomarkers and tests. As it is essential to stay up-to-date on new molecular diagnostics in this changing field, this book covers critically important areas in the practice of personalized medicine and reflects our understanding of the pathology, pathogenesis and pathophysiology of human disease. - Includes new material on mass spectrometry for infectious diseases, microbiome, homology-directed repair for PARPi, whole genome sequencing for constitutional testing, and much more - Provides insights on the value of the molecular test in comparison to traditional methods, which include speed, precision, sensitivity and clinical impacts for the patient - Focuses on the menu of molecular diagnostic tests available in modern molecular pathology or clinical laboratories that can be applied to disease detection, diagnosis and classification in the clinical workup of a patient - Explains how molecular tests are utilized to guide the treatment of patients in personalized medicine (guided therapies) and for the prognostication of disease
The complex landscape of breast cancer requires distinct strategies for the management of various molecular subtypes of this disease. Rapid advances in the field of molecular biology have been bewildering for those involved in its study and management. “Molecular Pathology of Breast Cancer” aims to close this knowledge gap by discussing comprehensively the evolution, biological basis and clinical applications with a focus on the “what, when, and how” of the most significant molecular markers known to date. These markers are evaluated in the context of genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic profiles, which is integral to the practice of precision medicine. The application of next generation sequencing (NGS) has provided new insights in the regulation of genomic and transcriptomic structure and function. Alterations in DNA such as mutations and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been correlated with outcomes and provide for novel therapeutic approaches. These NGS analyses have also revealed the extensive contributions of epigenetic mechanisms such as histone modifications, non-coding RNA and alternative splicing. All of these changes together contribute to alterations in proteome. Newer assays that allow greater stability and analytical consistency are emerging. These alterations in tumor profiles can be also now detected by imaging techniques. The heterogeneity of both tumor and tumor microenvironment, an inevitable reality, is discussed in detail with particular focus on cancer stem cells and immune signaling. A chapter is dedicated to the emerging technology of “liquid biopsy”, which opens a novel approach for “continuous” monitoring of cancer that might be superior to conventional diagnostics, “Molecular Pathology of Breast Cancer” provides a quick and easy, not to mention essential, tour for clinicians, pathologists and scientists who are seeking to understand the integration of molecular biology into the diagnosis, prognosis and management of breast cancer.
Essential Concepts in Molecular Pathology, Second Edition, offers an introduction to molecular genetics and the "molecular" aspects of human disease. The book illustrates how pathologists harness their understanding of these entities to develop new diagnostics and treatments for various human diseases. This new edition offers pathology, genetics residents, and molecular pathology fellows an advanced understanding of the molecular mechanisms of disease that goes beyond what they learned in medical and graduate school. By bridging molecular concepts of pathogenesis to the clinical expression of disease in cell, tissue and organ, this fully updated, introductory reference provides the background necessary for an understanding of today's advances in pathology and medicine. - Explains the practice of "molecular medicine" and the translational aspects of molecular pathology, including molecular diagnostics, molecular assessment and personalized medicine - Orients non-pathologists on what pathologists look for and how they interpret their observational findings based on histopathology - Provides the reader with what is missing from most targeted introductions to pathology—the cell biology behind pathophysiology
The rapid rate of development in the fields of prevention, early detection and management for colorectal cancer means that the successful first edition of this accessible guide has needed to be updated and revised throughout. Primary care physicians and specialists alike will continue to find this an indispensable synopsis of the issues and options.