Status
Call number
Publication
ISBN
Description
This informative and fully illustrated new textbook covers all aspects of cancer biology, from the cellular processes underlying tumorigenesis, all the way through to the development of new agents and strategies to improve cancer treatment and prevention. No prior medical knowledge is assumed, and each chapter provides an authoritative self-contained account. Uniquely, this book extends a broad net over the whole subject, and is not restricted to the ferociously advancing field of cancer genetics only. It describes how cancer is diagnosed and classified, how causes are identified, how tumours behave and how the flawed fundamental biological processes drive them. It explains how clinicians assess tumours, it explores well-established therapeutic options and evaluates the potential for innovative new treatments in the future. The text concludes with a helpful glossary of terminology. Every detail of information is clearly described from first principles and the book will, thus, provide an ideal introductory account for students of medicine, cell biology and pathology, as well as health-care professionals working on cancer and drug development.… (more)
Local notes
1. Introduction to cancer. 1.1. Introductory note. 1.2. Identifying tumours. 1.3. Tumour classification. 1.4. Further reading -- 2. The causes of cancer. 2.1. Age distribution. 2.2. Initiators and promoters. 2.3. The environment. 2.4. Epidemiological studies. 2.5. Identifying the causes. 2.6. Further reading -- 3. The genetic basis of cancer. 3.1. Identifying the genes. 3.2. Oncogenes. 3.3. Tumour suppressor genes. 3.4. Summary of the molecular mechanisms of cancer pathogenesis. 3.5. Further reading -- 4. Tumour behaviour. 4.1. Introduction. 4.2. Preneoplastic conditions. 4.3. Preinvasive states. 4.4. Benign tumours. 4.5. Malignant tumours. 4.6. Metastasis. 4.7. Tumour heterogeneity. 4.8. Clonality and stem cells. 4.9. Tissue and clinical effects of tumours. 4.10. Further reading -- 5. Cell proliferation and cell death. 5.1. The cell cycle and how to measure it. 5.2. Growth factors and their receptors. 5.3. Cell death (necrosis and apoptosis). 5.4. Tumour growth.; 5.5. Further reading -- 6. Tumour assessment. 6.1. Introduction. 6.2. Grading. 6.3. Staging. 6.4. Further reading -- 7. Cancer treatment. 7.1. Available strategies. 7.2. Chemotherapy. 7.3. Radiotherapy. 7.4. Newer approaches to treatment. 7.5. Further reading.