Te rapidly changing concepts in radiation oncology with the development of more precise - strumentation for delivery of radiation therapy and a greater emphasis on hypofractionation technologies require a very intimate knowledge of tumor biology and the infuence of various biologic factors on dose distribution within the tumor in terms of homogeneity as well as prev- tion of any late efects on normal tissue surrounding the tumor itself. Not only are these major factors in clinical practice but also the known factors of inhomogeneity of cancer cells, the impact of microenvironment in terms of radiation efect, and host factors make it mandatory to design therapeutic strategies to improve the outcome and to diminish any potential short-term or lo- term risks from the radiation therapy. Te authors have developed an outstanding text that deals with these strategies and how they would impact on established and emerging new technologies and treatment. Te context of the presentations within a multidisciplinary combined modality therapy program is incredibly - portant. In this volume, various topics are reviewed including tumor genesis, cell proliferation, - giogenesis, the physiologic characteristics of malignant tissues, invasion and adhesion, the route and role pursued in the development of metastasis, and the role of the human immune system in cancer prevention and development.
This book provides an overview of the fundamentals of tumor biology and the influence of various biologic factors, including inhomogeneity of cancer cells, microenvironment, and host factors, on the design of therapeutic strategies and the outcome of established and emerging treatments. Particular attention is devoted to multidisciplinary combined modality therapy. The topics reviewed include tumorigenesis, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, physiology of malignant tissues, adhesion and invasion, development of metastases, and the role of the immune system in cancer development. Subsequent chapters focus on cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. The principles of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and molecularly targeted therapy are discussed, treatment resistance is explained, and strategies for rational combinations are provided, including the design of translational studies. Furthermore, the principles and clinical implications of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, such as gene expression profiling, gene transfer and silencing, proteomics, and molecular imaging, are presented. The chapters in this book have been written by an outstanding group of basic scientists, clinical researchers, and cancer professionals with long experience in the field. Their aim is to educate and inspire all those who devote most of their work to research into cancer and its treatment.
From the reviews:
"The stated aim of the editors of this book is 'to provide the practising radiation oncologist with a concise overview of the most important and up-to-date information pertaining to tumour biology as it impacts on cancer treatment' ? useful guide to the molecular era of cancer biology and personalised cancer therapy, particularly in relation to radiation oncology. ? The book would be of interest to any oncologist and would serve as a useful revision tool for the FRCR part 1 examination." (Joe O'Sullivan, RAD Magazine, December, 2009)
Aus den Rezensionen:
"Dieses umfassende Lehrbuch erläutert alle wesentlichen Gesichtspunkte der Tumorbiologie ... Die Literaturhinweise sind umfangreich, vollständig und aktuell, sofern dies in einem Lehrbuch überhaupt möglich ist. Die Autoren sind international ausgewiesene Grundlagenwissenschaftler und klinische Krebsforscher. Die Kapitel weisen ein qualitativ hochwertiges Layout mit zahlreichen, durchgehend farbigen Bildern auf und sind gut lesbar. Das Buch stellt eine wesentliche Bereicherung der tumorbiologischen Literatur dar. Wir empfehlen es als aktuelles radiobiologisches Standardwerk." (Stephan Roth, in: Strahlentherapie und Onkologie, 1/December/2009, S. 844)
