Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a life-threatening neoplasm of the mesothelium, the layer of tissue that covers many organs in the human body. The incidence of this type of neoplasm is gradually increasing among the global human population. Mesothelioma prognosis in patients is usually poor and their life expectancy is significantly reduced. This edited monograph presents holistic information about malignant mesothelioma in one volume. Readers will gain knowledge of the etiology, immunopathology of this disease and will understand the rationale for new treatment methods. The initial section of the book gives the historical context of mesothelioma in medicine. Subsequent sections illustrate mesothelioma epidemiology with respect to the problem of asbestos diffusion in different areas of the world such as Europe, The Americas, East Asia, Australia and Africa. This is followed by chapters detailing current information about asbestos and non-asbestos molecular biology and etiopathogenesis, as well as intriguing insights from human genetics and translational medicine. Other sections in this volume focus on clinical information; mesothelioma diagnosis and staging are thoroughly described with a focus on serum biomarkers and pleural liquid cytology. Additional sections provide information on treatment modalities, with one section dedicated to surgical procedures. Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Present Status and Future Directions is a comprehensive informational resource with well organized sections, aided by protocol charts, tables and figures. The book is essential for both medical oncology students and specialists who want to augment or update their knowledge about this neoplasm.

The advancements in molecular marker discovery, genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics in recent years have enabled researchers to develop targeted therapies against cancers. Cancer research and management is multi-disciplinary and multimodal. In addition to conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy, targeted immunotherapy has also provided considerable success in the clinic. There is also scientific evidence on the impact of alternative therapies on cancer patients. Modern Cancer Therapies and Traditional Medicine: An Integrative Approach to Combat Cancers summarizes the general aspects of cancer therapy and management. Chapters cover cancer medicine in two broad sections, the book presents comprehensive information on a diverse range of cancer treatments. The first section covers conventional molecular oncology and therapy including targeted therapies, immunotherapies, cancer signaling pathways and the use of computational techniques. The second section focuses on traditional methods of treatment including the role of nutrition, traditional medicine, Yoga and Ayurveda in cancer prevention and management. The book is an accessible update of the state of the art in cancer diagnostics and therapy for students and academicians at all levels.

The WHO report estimates that 12 million people will be diagnosed with some form of cancer this year. In addition, the report predicts that more than 7 million people will die early from the disease. Together, the number of cancer cases and deaths from cancer are expected to increase by one percent each year. Cancer research has seen remarkable advancements, including the multi-step carcinogenesis theory and the identification of a cancer stem cell. These advancements are being applied to clinical therapies targeting the oncogene. In addition, the function of the gene product is becoming clear through analysis of the intracellular signaling of the oncogene. As a result, it has become clear that the morphologies of the cancers depend on the kind of the abnormal gene. Of course, these differences would influence patient’s life and death and is summarized by specialists in this area. This theme includes the full range of human diseases regarding medical genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, anatomy, pathology, structural biology, molecular cell biology, neuroscience and developmental biology. The eBook contains articles written by specialists in this area. It should prove to be of great use to clinicians and scientists in all medical fields.

Multiple Myeloma (MM), the second most common blood cancer in adults, is a clonal plasma cell malignancy within the bone marrow characterized by osteolytic bone lesions, renal disease, and immunodeficiency. It is now well established that MM cell- induced disruption of the bone marrow homeostasis between the highly organized cellular and extracellular compartments supports MM cell proliferation, survival, migration, and drug resistance via activation of various signaling pathways. Based on this knowledge, the prototypic drugs thalidomide, bortezomib, and lenalidomide, which target both MM cells and the bone marrow microenvironment, have already fundamentally changed treatment options of this disease. Indeed, their benefit is now not only shown in relapsed and refractory disease but they also improve overall response, duration of response, and progression-free and overall survival when used as part of first-line regimens. However, despite new insights into MM pathogenesis and exciting derived therapeutic advances, MM still remains incurable. Ongoing studies are therefore aiming to further delineate mechanisms of MM pathogenesis within the bone marrow to identify novel agents with enhanced cytotoxicity and decreased drug resistance to improve patient outcome. Multiple Myeloma - A New Era of Treatment Strategies is devoted to contributions from eminent scientists providing readers with comprehensive accounts of the most recent developments in the field of MM research. It addresses the interests of scientists and clinical investigators in MM research as well as other fields of oncology, in which the microenvironment is believed to play an important role.

Various estimates suggest that between 30-40% of all human cancers are related to dietary patterns. Strong epidemiological evidence from population and twin studies points to dietary constituents that either contribute or protect against the development of various forms of cancer. This e-book reviews some traditional and relatively new areas of nutrition and cancer. Epidemiological data is combined with molecular biology research and, where available, clinical trial data. The emerging science of "Nutrigenomics" is discussed with chapters on the biological role of various nutrition components from red wine, peppers, green tea, fish oil, cruciferous vegetables, retinoids; and the intersection of nutrition and epigenetics in hematopoiesis. This e-book will be of interest to researchers in the nutrition and cancer field, physicians in family and community medicine, internal medicine and oncology, as well as dieticians providing counseling to cancer patients and cancer survivors.

This informative book provides a wealth of information on ovarian cancer. The book opens with a discussion of contemporary management of this disease with commentary on surgery and clinical trials: neoadjuvant, dose-dense, and heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC}, as well as immunotherapy, vaccine therapy, emerging therapies. This is followed by presentations on ovarian cancer pathology. A chapter is devoted to methods of drug discovery through a functional genomics approach, with gene expression microarray databases available in public data repositories such as Public Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO} and validation using immunohistochemistry or Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). Next, the book explores the psycho-social issues that may be encountered by an ovarian cancer patient, including commentary on pain, fertility, anxiety, depression, demoralization, caregiver burnout, and end-of-life. The final chapter represents a step out from mainstream medical practice and provides an exposition of the mind-body interaction and the powerful role of belief in the healing process, with discussions of the placebo effect, nocebo effect, and numerous research studies that demonstrate the tremendous influence of our beliefs on our bodies and well-being. <p></p> Key Features: - Provides a holistic view of ovarian cancer - Covers both conventional medical research topics and key social issues encountered by patients, caregivers and medical professionals. - Explains cancer pathology and related concepts with the help of illustrations and notes on future directions - Features commentary from experts in ovarian cancer treatment - Written in a reader-friendly style suitable for a wide range of readers <p></p> Ovarian Cancer – Challenges and Innovations is a comprehensive reference about ovarian cancer for medical students, residents, practitioners, healthcare support staff (nurses, physician assistants), medical researchers and scientists, as well as patients and interested laypersons seeking to improve their current knowledge of ovarian cancer

The number of new discoveries related to diagnostics and therapeutics of hematological cancer is significant. These have resulted in continuous progress in fundamental knowledge about molecular and cellular mechanisms in hematological neoplasia. Physiopathogenesis of Hematological Cancer presents a concise overview of the cellular and molecular biology of myelo- and Lymphoproliferative disorders. The expert reviews presented within this e-book are also accompanied by bibliographic references for relevant scientific literature. This book should prove to be a valuable reference tool for both medical graduate and postgraduates in the field of oncology.

The book presents recent advances in the field of angiogenesis and antiangiogenesis. Starting with the hypothesis of Judah Folkman that tumor growth is angiogenesis dependent, this area of research now has a solid scientific foundation. Tumor growth, metastasis, progression, dormancy and apoptosis depend on angiogenesis: several clinical studies have shown a positive correlation between the number of vessels in the tumor, metastasis formation and disease prognosis. A number of approaches have been developed to inhibit tumor angiogenesis, and numerous compounds discovered that inhibit angiogenesis, but only a few of them proved effective in vivo and only a couple of agents were able to induce tumor regression. These and other related developments described in the book should prove to be of interest to a large number of readers wishing to keep abreast with the latest developments in the field.

Tumor development and progression are multi-factorial processes, in which genomic alterations and modifications in gene expression in pre-malignant cells are joined by deleterious microenvironmental factors. The tumor microenvironment contains stroma cells and leukocytes, soluble factors and matrix components. The intensive interplay that exists between the host factors and the tumor cells plays a major role in dictating the final outcome of the malignant process. Inflammatory mediators are pivotal microenvironmental factors present in the tumor milieu. These inflammatory components support cell growth and invasion, induce mutagenesis, increase angiogenicity, and suppress potential anti-tumor immune functions. The inflammatory constituents that prevail in tumors include leukocytes and soluble mediators - cytokines and chemokines. This e-book describes the roles played by these mediators in malignancy, and explains the basis for their consideration as therapeutic targets in cancer. The e-book is a timely overview of the roles played by inflammatory soluble mediators in neoplastic diseases. The topics addressed in this volume serve as a handy reference to investigators studying basic aspects of the malignant tumor growth, to clinicians who wish to better understand the processes involved in malignancy, and to pharmacological professionals seeking novel candidates for therapeutic intervention in cancer.

This e-book explains the essential role of angiogenesis in the progression and spread of the neoplasm, including the mechanics of initial carcinogenesis in promoting malignant transformation. The e-book deals with specific categories or subtypes of tumors with some emphasis on astrocytomas and glioblastoma multiforme. The process of carcinogenesis has been re-interpreted in terms of deranged physiologic principles and hence reference is made to what upsets homeostatic mechanisms. Readers of this e-book will have an opportunity to appreciate the essential role of angiogenesis not only in progression and spread of the neoplasm but especially also in the mechanics of initial carcinogenesis in promoting malignant transformation. This e-book should be a useful reference for scholars and clinicians interested in learning about cancer pathophysiology.