Oncologia

Progress in the treatment of cancer over the past two decades has been rapid with many new and novel therapeutic modalities arriving at an unprecedented pace. Overall cancer mortality rates have actually begun to fall in parallel with progress in the diagnosis and treatment of malignant disease. Despite our advances in the understanding of the biology and molecular genetics of cancer, as well as the availability of an increasing array of effective therapies, cancer treatment today and for the foreseeable future will include the traditional modalities of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Myelosuppressive agents with their potential hematopoietic toxicities remain the mainstay of systemic treatment for both metastatic and early stage cancer. The complications of cancer chemotherapy have serious impact on a patient's well being and overall quality of life. Fortunately, advances in cancer treatment have been accompanied by equally impressive progress in the availability of a wide array of supportive care modalities which have greatly enhanced the ability of oncologists to minimize the impact of cancer and its treatment on patient quality of life as well improve delivery of potentially curative cancer treatment. Despite the increasing complexity of modern cancer treatment, it is the obligation of the oncologist as well as the entire cancer care team to be certain that cancer patients receive the optimal supportive care available for their disease and its treatment. Among the most serious and potentially life threatening toxicities of cancer treatment are the hematologic toxicities accompanying myelosuppression including anemia and associated asthenia and fatigue, neutropenia and fever associated with infection in the immunocompromised patient and thrombocytopenia and accompanying risk of bleeding. Special supportive care needs arise in the very elderly care patient that may tax the ability of even the most skilled clinician. Despite the considerable progress that has been made with more effective and safer treatment strategies, myelosuppressive chemotherapy will remain the mainstay of systemic treatment for cancer for the foreseeable future. While considerable progress has occurred, better methods and broader application of supportive care measures are needed to reduce the symptomatic effects of cancer and the associated toxicities associated with cancer treatment. No area of cancer supportive care better illustrates the progress that has resulted from advances in our understanding of cellular and molecular biology, genetic engineering and the development of more effective yet often more toxic cancer treatments than that of the hematopoietic growth factors. This volume will review and integrate the major advances in our understanding of the underlying molecular biology and pharmacology of these agents along with the results of well designed and executed randomized controlled trials of the erythroid stimulating agents, the myeloid growth factors and the new thrombopoietic agents each addressing a major threat associated with bone marrow suppression accompanying cancer treatment. The current clinical utilization of these agents is based on numerous randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses along with evidence-based clinical practice guidelines developed by professional societies guiding their appropriate and cost-effective use in clinical care.

Human Radiation Injury is a concise but thorough presentation of known toxicities of radiation exposure in humans. This unique text is the only single reference available that studies the risks to humans from medical, environmental, and accidental or terrorist-related exposure to radiation. The chapters cover modern understanding of the molecular and cellular events involved in radiation injury, the known dose-effect relationships for human organ systems, and a full discussion of normal tissue toxicity related to therapeutic radiation. Recommended guidelines are outlined and the best available treatments following injury are also detailed.

"Decision Making in Radiation Oncology" is a reference book designed to enable radiation oncologists, including those in training, to make diagnostic and treatment decisions effectively and efficiently. The design is based on the belief that 'a picture is worth a thousand words'. Knowledge is conveyed through an illustrative approach using algorithms, schemas, graphics, and tables. Detailed guidelines are provided for multidisciplinary cancer management and radiation therapy techniques. In addition to the attention-riveting algorithms for diagnosis and treatment, strategies for the management of disease at individual stages are detailed for all the commonly diagnosed malignancies. Clinical trials that have yielded 'gold standard' treatment and their results are documented in the schemas. Moreover, radiation techniques, including treatment planning and delivery, are presented in an illustrative way. This groundbreaking publication is an essential tool for physicians in their daily clinical practice.

The head and neck is the site of some of the most diverse and histologically complex tumors in the human body. Within this small, highly specialized region, one finds a remarkable range of tissues, including skin, mucosal surfaces, soft tissue, bone, lymph nodes, peripheral and central nervous system tissue, paraganglia, endocrine organs, salivary glands and odontogenic structures. Compounding the issue, biopsies are often small, frequently distorted and difficult to orient for paraffin embedding, all of which impact evaluation and diagnosis, even for experienced pathologists. Head and Neck Pathology presents fifty cases for discussion and illustration. The cases have been selected to show the wide range of specimens seen in head and neck pathology and address some of the frequent encountered in these lesions. The goal of this unique book is to provide detailed insight into a wealth of expert experience in such cases, with in-depth review of the expert's analysis and diagnostic process supported by high-quality color photomicrographs and discussion of the diagnostic principles involved in evaluating these lesions. Head and Neck Pathology is essential reading for surgical pathologists, otolaryngologists and pathologists. In addition it will of interest to pathology and otolaryngology residents and fellows.

Stay on top of the latest scientific and therapeutic advances with the new edition of "Leibel and Phillips Textbook of Radiation Oncology". Dr. Theodore L. Phillips, in collaboration with two new authors, Drs. Richard Hoppe and Mack Roach, offers a multidisciplinary look at the presentation of uniform treatment philosophies for cancer patients emphasizing the 'treat for cure' philosophy. You can also explore the implementation of new imaging techniques to locate and treat tumors, new molecularly targeted therapies, and new types of treatment delivery.

The first Amirsys publication devoted solely to genitourinary cancers has finally arrived. In "Specialty Imaging: Genitourinary Oncology", Dr. Akram Shaaban and team skillfully guide clinicians through the imaging appearances, staging, and treatment techniques for cancers of the kidney, bladder, adrenal glands, urethra, testicle, and prostate. The 130 pages of fast-reading, bulleted text are enriched with well over 450 vivid images, each of which identifies and explains clinically significant factors. The recently published Seventh Edition AJCC cancer staging tables are included to aid the staging discussions, providing definitions for TNM and AJCC prognostic groups for all genitourinary cancers. This is a must-have reference for radiologists, oncologists, and others whose work quality depends on an accurate understanding of genitourinary system cancers.

The risk of cancer increases with age, and the number of older adults seeking treatment is increasing dramatically in line with the aging population. The care of older patients differs from that of younger adults because of differences in the biology of the tumor, age-related differences in host physiology, comorbidity burden and psychosocial issues, which might impact the efficacy and side effects of cancer therapy. Practical Geriatric Oncology is a comprehensive, evidence-based text that synthesizes the growing literature in this field and provides practical guidelines to the care of older adults with cancer. Coverage includes patient assessment, management of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies, the impact of age on the pharmacology of cancer therapy, surgical oncology and radiation oncology in the older adult, symptom management and supportive care. In addition to serving as core reading for oncologists and hematologists, the book will also be a useful work for other healthcare professionals who provide oncology care, including surgeons, radiation oncologists, palliative care doctors, primary care providers, geriatricians and nurses.

Building on the success of this book's first edition, Dr. Eric Hansen and Dr. Mack Roach have updated, revised, and expanded the "Handbook of Evidence-based Radiation Oncology", a portable reference that utilizes evidence-based medicine as the basis for practical treatment recommendations and guidelines. Organized by body site, concise clinical chapters provide easy access to critical information. Important 'pearls' of epidemiology, anatomy, pathology, and clinical presentation are highlighted. Key facets of the work-up are listed, followed by staging and/or risk classification systems. Treatment recommendations are discussed based on stage, histology, and/or risk classification. Brief summaries of key trials and studies provide rationale for the recommendations. Practical guidelines for radiation techniques are described. Finally, complications and follow-up guidelines are outlined. Updates from the first edition include brand new color figures and color contouring mini-atlases for head and neck, gastrointestinal, prostate, and gynecological tumors; redesigned tables for increased readability; new chapters on management of the neck and unknown primary, clinical radiobiology, and pediatric malignancies and benign conditions; and, new appendices including the American College of Radiology guidelines for administration of IV contrast.

"Biopsy Interpretation of the Bladder, Second Edition" presents state-of-the-art, practical information that is required to evaluate biopsies of the urothelial tract. From normal anatomy and histology to a range of both common and unusual pathological findings, this diagnostic resource delivers current information to help accurately identify all lesions, tumors, and tumor-like lesions for the bladder. Highlights of this edition include full-color illustrations throughout, a new chapter on urine cytology, increased emphasis on differential diagnosis, more tables with immunohistochemistry panels, and the latest World Health Organization and International Society of Urologic Pathology classification system. A companion website includes the fully searchable text, an image bank with 1,500 additional e-figures, and an interactive quiz bank that is ideal for board exam preparation.

"Specialty Imaging: Gynecologic Oncology" is the first and only Amirsys book dedicated exclusively to cancers of the female reproductive system. Using more than 400 detailed images and nearly 130 pages of easy-to-read bulleted text, Dr. Akram Shabaan and team carefully describe the imaging appearance, staging, techniques, and treatment options for cancers of the vagina, vulva, ovary, cervix uteri, corpus uteri, and fallopian tube. The book includes the brand new Seventh Edition AJCC cancer staging tables, which provide the definitions for TNM, FIGO stages, and AJCC prognostic groups for all gynecologic cancers. High quality images illustrate nearly every stage of every type of these cancers, helping clinicians accurately identify and treat some of the most physically and psychologically devastating cancers of our time.

Nutrition, appetite, and involuntary weight loss are issues that affect a large number of cancer patients and cancer survivors. Aspects such as symptom management, behavioural modification, exercise and medication are all important aspects of cancer care, but nutritional issues at the end of life can be accompanied by contentious ethical factors as well as religious and cultural influences that need to be addressed by health professionals. This book enables physicians, nurses and also dieticians to better discuss these complex issues with patients and their families. This comprehensive reference book provides both background information and practical, clinical advice for managing the cancer patient at all stages of their disease trajectory. It includes information that relates to patients who are continuing to receive disease-specific therapy, the cancer survivor, as well as patients with advanced or recurrent cancer receiving palliative care. Basic principles such as epidemiology and physiology set the scene, leading into the cachexia/anorexia syndrome, treatment options, nutritional counselling, enteral and parenteral nutrition, complementary/alternative therapies, exercise, clinical outcomes measures in each of the clinical groups, and focus on special populations and their specific needs. Multidimensional, interdisciplinary clinical evaluation and treatment is emphasised, and ethical, religious, and cultural factors are also addressed. Multidisciplinary in nature, this book draws on the experience of the editors' work across the fields of oncology, palliative care, surgery, primary care, nursing, dietetics and nutritional science. It will prove invaluable to all general practitioners, internists, medical oncologists and surgeons, nurses, palliative care specialists and related professionals involved in the care of the cancer patient.

"Visual Guide to Musculoskeletal Tumors: A Clinical-Radiologic-Histologic Approach", by Felasfa Wodajo, MD; Frank Gannon, MD and Mark Murphey, MD, uses a pattern-recognition approach to help you diagnose challenging musculoskeletal tumors with confidence. With an easy-to-use format, it is the only resource that correlates histology studies and imaging studies. By comparing images these superb-quality, large-scale images, you can master pattern recognition for the 30 most important musculoskeletal tumors and make informed, effective, and rapid decisions on diagnosis and treatment.

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