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Under the auspices of the 12th International Symposium on Special Aspects in Radiotherapy 2008 in Berlin, acknowledged experts presented their perspectives on small and non-small cell lung cancer, reflecting the latest standards and engaging in controversies in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. In the first part of this volume, aspects of the diagnostic workup are highlighted from the histopathologist's point of view, followed by presentations concerning the value of PET-CT and whole-body MRI in the staging of lung cancer. The use and current methods in bronchoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, video-endoscopy and mediastinoscopy are discussed in detail. The second section presents surgical and radio-oncological treatment concepts for stage I/II non-small cell lung cancer including stereotactic radiotherapy. The third section outlines the curative options for stage III NSCLC: extended surgical approaches, definitive radiochemotherapy and current concepts in adjuvant therapies. Emphasis is also placed on altered fractionation schemes in radiotherapy. Section 4 is dedicated to palliative procedures and the last section gives an in-depth presentation of small cell lung cancer. This book provides an excellent overview of up-to-date standards and future strategies in lung cancer treatment. It will be of great value to surgeons, radiation oncologists, pulmonary specialists and other clinicians interested in this disease.

Internationally recognized experts in cancer biology and clinical research review the present status of the multimodality approach to the management of solid tumors and speculate on possible future strategies for chemoradiation therapy. The authors detail applications of combined modality therapy in lung, esophageal, breast, gastric, pancreatic, colon, and rectal cancers. They also show how radiation interacts with such chemotherapeutic agents as the platinum complexes, taxanes, and gemcitabine in the treatment of malignant gliomas, and head and neck cancer. A review of how to integrate new specific molecular targeted agents into multimodality therapy in the future.

Prominent investigators and clinicians summarize in a balanced blend of fundamental science, basic research, experimental therapeutics, and early clinical experiences, what is known about oncogenes and oncogenesis, and describe how that knowledge can be used to treat the cancer. The contributors explain how, why, and under what conditions certain proteins acquire the ability to transform eukaryotic cells, and detail the crucial biological consequences of this oncogenic transformation, particularly for cellular mitogenesis, survival, differentiation, migration, proteolysis, or angiogenic competence. Their articles thoroughly explicate the premises, principles, techniques, and approaches to oncogene targeting in various types of human cancer by using signal transduction inhibitors, immunological targeting methods, and antisense gene therapy.

Der vorliegende Band gibt einen aktuellen Überblick über die Therapie von Leukämien und Lymphomen, unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Zytokine und deren pathogenetischer Bedeutung. Diskutiert wird der Einsatz hämatopoetischer Wachstumsfaktoren bei Hochdosis-Chemotherapie, autologer Knochenmarktransplantation sowie akuter myeloischer und lymphatischer Leukämie. Am Beispiel der chronischen myeloischen Leukämie und der niedrigmalignen Lymphome wird die Therapie mit Interferon-alpha erörtert, ebenso berücksichtigt wird die Behandlung mit Interleukin-2 und -3. Die grundsätzliche Therapie der chronisch myeloischen Leukämie, des M. Hodgkin sowie der niedrig- und hochmalignen Lymphome wird übersichtlich dargestellt; insbesondere wird auf das Zytostatikum Bendamustin eingegangen. Das Buch ist von besonderem Interesse für internistische Hämatologen und Onkologen in Klinik oder Spezialpraxis sowie für hämatologisch interessierte Internisten, die sich auf diesem Gebiet weiterbilden wollen.

Lung cancer remains a major cause of cancer deaths throughout the world. It is an extremely lethal neoplasm: 80-90% of patients who develop lung cancer will die of their disease. The purpose of this book is to update cancer specialists, pulmonary physicians, thoracic surgeons and general practitioners about the many recent advances in the treatment, prevention and biology of lung cancer. Despite the overall poor prognosis for patients, a number of new chemotherapeutic drugs and regimens have been developed which result in a clinically meaningful improvement in survival for patients with nonsmall cell lung carcinoma. Four chapters in this book are devoted to reviewing these new drugs and drug combinations (paclitaxel, docetaxel, vinorelbine, gemcitabine, topoisomerase inhibitors). Advances in the management of locally advanced nonsmall cell and small cell lung cancer are considered, including combined-modality treatments using chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. Results of recent trials involving chemoprevention agents are also reported. Finally, the latest progress in understanding the molecular biology of this disease, and how it might impact on the clinical management of lung cancer patients, is discussed.