Lung cancer is a disease with pandemic public health implications as it is now the leading cause of cancer mortality throughout the world. This book results from two recent International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) Workshops on lung cancer prevention. It strikes a balance between considering public health approaches to tobacco control and population-based screening, advances in clinical evaluation of chemoprevention approaches, and the biology of lung carcinogenesis. Indeed, while the science of smoking cessation is evolving as new pharmacological tools are moving into clinical evaluation, the current impact of molecular diagnostics is profound. The rapidly-evolving diagnostic technologies are revolutionizing basic scientific investigation of cancer, and this trend is expected to soon spill over into the clinical practice of medicine. The evolution of economical diagnostic platforms to allow for direct bronchial epithelial evaluation in high-risk populations promises to improve the diagnostic lead-time for this disease. The hope is that enough progress will occur to permit lung cancer detection in advance of clinical cancer so that the disease can be addressed early on, while it is still confined to the site of origin. Chemoprevention, which is designed to intervene in the early phase of carcinogenesis prior to any subjective clinical manifestation of a cancer, is also generating greater research interest. Moreover, the benefit of aerosolized administration of chemoprevention agents over conventional oral administration has strong appeal and may result in the reduction of the incidence of cancer when combined with new diagnostic technologies.

This report considers the biological and behavioral mechanisms that may underlie the pathogenicity of tobacco smoke. Many Surgeon General's reports have considered research findings on mechanisms in assessing the biological plausibility of associations observed in epidemiologic studies. Mechanisms of disease are important because they may provide plausibility, which is one of the guideline criteria for assessing evidence on causation. This report specifically reviews the evidence on the potential mechanisms by which smoking causes diseases and considers whether a mechanism is likely to be operative in the production of human disease by tobacco smoke. This evidence is relevant to understanding how smoking causes disease, to identifying those who may be particularly susceptible, and to assessing the potential risks of tobacco products.

This book describes the molecular mechanisms of lung cancer development and progression that determine therapeutic interventions in the era of genomics, when the rapid evolution in lung cancer diagnosis and treatment necessitates critical review of new results to integrate advances into practice. The text opens with background and emerging information regarding the molecular biology of lung cancer pathogenesis. Updated results regarding lung cancer prevention and screening are discussed, followed by chapters on diagnostic techniques and pathological evaluation. This leads on to a detailed presentation of treatment modalities, from surgery and radiation therapy to standard chemotherapy and targeted agents. The coverage includes resistance to therapy and the emergence of immunotherapy for lung cancer; in addition, the current evidence in respect of small cell lung cancer is summarized. The book presents insights from experts across disciplines to emphasize the importance of collaborative care. Advances in our understanding of issues in geriatric oncology and palliative care complete the comprehensive discussion of lung cancer.

Thoroughly revised and updated, this Fourth Edition is the most comprehensive, current reference on lung cancer, with contributions from the world's foremost surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, pulmonologists, and basic scientists. Coverage includes complete information on combined modality treatments for small cell and non-small cell lung cancer and on complications of treatment and management of metastases. Emphasis is also given to early detection, screening, prevention, and new imaging techniques. This edition has expanded thoracic oncology chapters including thymus, mesothelioma, and mediastinal tumors, more detailed discussion of targeted agents, and state-of-the-art information on newer techniques in radiotherapy. Other highlights include more international contributors and greater discussion of changes in lung cancer management in each region of the world. A new editor, Giorgio Scagliotti, MD from the University of Turin, has coordinated the accounts of European activities. A companion website includes the full text online and an image bank.

This, the first of two volumes on personalized medicine in lung cancer, touches on the core issues related to the understanding of lung cancer—statistics and epidemiology of lung cancer—along with the incidence of lung cancer in non-smokers. A major focus of this volume is the state of current therapies against lung cancer—immune, targeted therapies against EGFR TKIs, KRAS, ALK, angiogenesis; the associated challenges, especially resistance mechanisms; and recent progress in targeted drug development based on metal chemistry. Chapters are written by some of the leading experts in the field, who provide a better understanding of lung cancer, the factors that make it lethal, and current research focused on developing personalized treatment plans. With a unique mix of topics, this volume summarizes the current state-of-knowledge on lung cancer and the available therapies.

with contributions by Pathologists from 14 Countries