The purpose of this book-the fourth volume of a series on Can cer Markers-is intended to provide an updated "status report" on today's use of cancer markers in the diagnosis and monitoring of can cer, with an emphasis on cancer markers detected in the serum. It has been 7 years since the publication of the last volume in this series. The 1980, 1982, and 1985 volumes covered the development of cancer markers, not only in their roles of unraveling the basic biology of can cer, but also as increasingly important players in the management of patients with cancer. During the last 7 years we have seen the applica tion of a number of markers identified by monoclonal antibodies, as well as the beginnings of the use of genetic markers defined by mo lecular probes. Measurements of oncogenes in tissues or cells prom ise many applications for the future, but as yet, these genes have not shown to be useful as serum markers of cancer. The commercial interest in serum markers for cancer, particu larly for the diagnosis and monitoring of tumor patients, is indicated in Chapter 24 by Owen, where the total worldwide market for cancer markers is projected to increase from $148 million in 1988 to $232 million in 1993. The degree of research interest in cancer markers is reflected in the fact that in 1988 a separate category for tumor mark ers was added to Index Medicus.

Confronted with myriads ofTs, N's and M's in the VICC TNM booklet, classifying a malignancy may seem to many cancer clini cians a tedious, dull and pedantic task. But then when he looks into the TNM-Atlas all of a sudden lifeless categories become vi vid images, challenging his know-how and his investigational skills. Prof. Dr. Brigit van der Werf-Messing, Chairman of the International TNM-Committee of the VICC. Preface In 1938 the League of Nations Health Organization published an "Atlas illustrating the division of cancer of the uterine cervix into four stages according to the anatomo-clinical extent of the growth". Since this work appeared, the idea of visual representation of the anatomical extent of malignant tumours at the different stages of their development has been repeatedly discussed. At its meeting in Copenhagen in July 1954, the VICC adopted as part of its programme "the realization of a clinical atlas". However, the time to do the planned illustration work was not ripe until the National Committees and international organiza tions had officially recognized the 28 classifications of malignant tumours at various sites as presented in the 3rd edition of the "TNM Booklet" (1978) edited by M. Harmer. This was all the more important since in 1980, in addition to the "Booklet", a "Brochure of Checklists" edited by A.H. Sellers was made available as a further aid in the practical application of the TNMsystem

Sugar chains (glycans) are often attached to proteins and lipids and have multiple roles in the organization and function of all organisms. "Essentials of Glycobiology" describes their biogenesis and function and offers a useful gateway to the understanding of glycans.

he thoroughly updated Third Edition of this acclaimed reference incorporates the latest advances in the multidisciplinary therapy of gynecologic cancer. The book provides comprehensive coverage of the biology of gynecologic cancer, the therapeutic modalities available, and the diagnosis and treatment of site-specific malignancies. Because of the importance of multimodality treatment, the site-specific chapters are co-authored by a surgical oncologist, a medical oncologist, a radiation oncologist, and a pathologist. New chapters in this edition cover laparoscopic surgery and national strategies for gynecologic cancer. More than 30 percent of the chapters have been completely rewritten. This edition also includes new full-color illustrations

This long overdue title provides a comprehensive, up-to-date, state-of-the art review of approved biologic therapies, with coverage of mechanisms of action, Indications for therapy, immunogenicity and a detailed examination of adverse effects and safety of the many and diverse therapeutic agents presented in a total of 13 chapters. It is predicted that by 2016, biologics will make up half of the world's 20 top-selling drugs and by 2018, biologic medicine sales will account for almost half of the world's 100 biggest selling drugs. Recombinant proteins dominate the growing list of the more than 200 approved biotherapeutic agents with targeted antibodies, fusion proteins and receptors; cytokines; hormones; enzymes; proteins involved in blood-clotting, homeostasis and thrombosis; vaccines; botulinum neurotoxins; and, more recently, biosimilar preparations, comprising the majority of approved biologics. Written with clinicians, other health care professionals, and researchers in mind, Safety of Biologics Therapy examines, in a single volume, the full range of issues surrounding the safety of approved biologic therapies. A good understanding of the risks and safety issues of modern biologics therapy is increasingly being demanded of all those connected with their development, handling, prescribing, administration and subsequent patient management. In addition to being of great value to clinicians in all branches of medicine, and to nurses, pharmacists and researchers, this book will prove invaluable for students taking undergraduate and graduate courses in the above disciplines and in the biomedical sciences.

Gastric cancer has been one of the great malignant scourges affecting man kind for as long as medical records have been kept. Until operative resection pioneered by Bilroth and others became available, no effective treatment was feasible and death from cancer was virtually inevitable. Even with resection by total gastrectomy, the chances of tumor eradication remained small. Over recent years, however, the situation has been changing. Some changes have resulted from better understanding of the disease, early detec tion, and better management techniques with applied clinical research, but the reasons for other changes are poorly understood. For example, the incidence of gastric cancer is decreasing, especially in westernized societies, where it has fallen from one of the most common cancers to no longer being in the top five causes of cancer death. Still it remains the number one killer of adult males in Japan and Korea. Whether the reduced incidence in western societies is a result of dietary changes or methods of food preservation, or some other reason, is as yet uncertain. Improvements in outcome have been reported from mass screening and early detection; more refined techniques of establishing early diagnosis, tumor type, and tumor extent; more radical surgical resection; and resection at earlier stages of disease.

Developmental cancer products (oncodevelopmental markers, ODM) not only serve as diagnostic and prognostic indicators but also may be used to study the nature of the carcinogenic process and the biology of tumors. For many years oncologists have searched for markers of cancer cells that would permit unequivocal recognition of cancer in contrast to noncancerous tissue. The earliest and still most widely used method of identification of cancer tissue or cells is the structural resemblance of cancer tissue to fetal or immature tissue. Pathologists not only recognize cancer by its morphologic similarity to fetal tissues, but also in many instances can relate the behavior of a given tumor to the degree of tissue differentiation. Thus, poorly differentiated tumors that resemble fetal tissue generally grow more rapidly and metastasize earlier than do well-differentiated tumors that more closely resemble adult tissue. In recent years the commonality of fetal and cancer tissue has been extended to products of tumor cells that, can be analyzed by biochemical, immunological, or physiological techniques. Increas ingly, products of cancer cells similar to fetal products are being identified and studied. These products range from cell-surface markers (fetal or differentiation antigens), placental proteins, hormones, and isoenzymes to a multitude of products, such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), alphafetoprotein (AFP), lymphocyte markers, and nucleic acids, such as tRNA, that are produced in small amounts by v vi PREFACE continually differentiating cells in the adult but in much greater amounts by tumors.

This work serves as an introduction to the applications of molecular biology in the field of oncology. It provides a basic understanding of the genetic events involved in fully developed human cancer, including research into inherited and acquired gene defects initiating new neoplasms and the subsequent genetic alterations involved in tumor progression. Some of the specific topics explored include gene control, molecular therapy and antibodies, drug resistance, growth factors and receptors, and tumor biology. While intended primarily as an advanced text for oncologists, postgraduate molecular geneticists and molecular biologists, the book will certainly be of interest to other researchers who frequently encounter cancer in their practice.