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Thyroid cancer is the fastest growing cancer in the U.S., especially among women.
Given the relative success we have had in its treatment, there is a need to capitalize
on it by better understanding the factors that underpin this malignancy, and exploring
better strategies for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. To do so, we must take full
advantage of the revolution in modern biology.
This comprehensive volume addresses the needs of a broad readership. Against a
backdrop of the complexity of the origins of cancer, pathology of thyroid tumors,
including lymphomas, is discussed, as are molecular genetic lesions associated with
spontaneous and radiation-related thyroid tumors, diagnostic tests available to surmise
tumor subtypes (including a review of the potential of DNA micro arrays), advances in
therapeutics (including recombinant hTSH superagonists, allowing for better treatment
of well differentiated thyroid carcinoma and its imaging), and combinations of drugs
that might influence the course of poorly differentiated and anaplastic thyroid cancer.
In this book, we glimpse into the promise of gene therapy in the future management
of otherwise lethal anaplastic and poorly differentiated thyroid tumors. The molecular
genetics of medullary thyroid cancer is considered in depth, and malignancy is used as
a showcase for genetic prediction and counseling.
The Molecular Basis of Thyroid Cancer is an indispensable companion for endocrinologists
(particularly those with an interest in thyroid cancer), thyroid surgeons, nuclear
medicine physicians, molecular oncologists, clinical biochemists, and those in biotechnology
intent on the innovation of better diagnosis and therapy of cancer.
I am fortunate and privileged to be the editor of The Molecular Basis of Thyroid Cancer.
I compiled a list of top scientists based on their areas of expertise in thyroid cancer
whom I hoped would contribute, and received enthusiastic and positive responses.
Their chapters are superb.
Throughout this project I have been supported and advised by two wonderful individuals
from Kluwer: the untiring Maureen Tobin, editorial assistant and Laura Walsh,
editor. They have made the task of putting this book together a pleasure. |