The rapid developments in molecular genetics have clarified many of the muta tions in monogenic thyroid diseases over the last two decades; now the target of molecular thyroid genetics has become the oligogenic thyroid diseases. These include the autoimmune thyroid diseases and familial thyroid cancers, both of which are much commoner than the monogenic diseases. However, the method ological approach to the genetics of these more complex diseases is still far from being well established. Although the discovery of susceptibility genes has been partially accomplished in complex diseases such as asthma, Crohn's dis ease, and types I and II diabetes mellitus, the elucidation of susceptibility genes in complex diseases remains a major challenge. This volume contains papers presented at the International Symposium on the Genetics of Complex Thyroid Diseases. This meeting was held in association with the International Thyroid Congress in Kyoto in October 2000 and sup ported in part by the Japan Intractable Diseases Research Foundation and Knoll Pharmaceuticals Inc. The symposium was the first international symposium con cerning the genetics of complex thyroid diseases and was restricted to the study of the autoimmune thyroid diseases and familial thyroid cancer. Twenty distin guished researchers from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Ger many, Italy, and Japan were invited. Each presentation precipitated intense dis cussion and there was much consensus during the meeting. Nevertheless, this volume will leave the reader with a clear understanding of how little we still know.

In 1956, three groups independently reported evidence that some thyroid disease appearing spontaneously in humans or experimentally induced in animals are related to autoimmune processes. The interval between these landmark discoveries and the present has witnessed a remarkable and continuing growth of both knowledge and concepts concerning the mechanisms of immune regulation, the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid diseases, and their clinical and laboratory manifestations. More importantly knowledge of thyroid autoimmunity has, in many respects, comprised the vanguard of an ever increasing appreciation and understanding of autoimmune diseases in general. On November 24-26 1986, an International Symposium on Thyroid Autoimmunity was held in Pisa. Its purpose was to commemorate the birth of thyroid autoimmunity as a scientific discipline, to summarize current knowledge and concepts in this area, and where possible, to anticipate areas of opportunity for the future - hence the theme of the Symposium, Memories and Perspectives. To open the meeting, the Magnifico Rettore (Chancellor) of the University of Pisa granted special Awards to Dr. Deborah Doniach, Dr. Ivan Roitt, and Dr. Noel R. Rose, who published the first fundamental studies in the field of thyroid autoimmunity, and to Dr. Duncan G. Adams, whose discovery of the long-acting thyroid stimulator (LATS) opened the door to our current understanding of the pathogenesis of Graves' disease. During the meeting thirty plenary lectures were presented.

Pheochromocytomas are rare but treacherous catecholamine-producing tumors, which if missed or not properly treated, will almost invariably prove fatal. Prompt diagnosis is, therefore, essential for effective treatment, usually by surgical resection. The manifestations are diverse and the tumor can mimic a variety of conditions, often resulting in either erroneous diagnoses or a delayed diagnosis. Reflecting the recent leaps in understanding this condition, Pheochromocytoma: Diagnosis, Localization, and Treatment provides a comprehensive update on the improvements in the diagnosis, localization, management and treatment of pheochromocytomas – providing you with the latest cutting edge science alongside best clinical practice. Written by the leading names in the field, the text details the significant developments in understanding the genetics and biology of the tumors, coupled with technological advances in the fields of analytical chemistry, genomics, molecular biology and nuclear medicine. The most comprehensive book on pheochromocytoma Provides cutting edge science and clinical guidance Written by the leading names in the field Authors present their recently developed novel biochemical test for the diagnosis of Pheochromocytoma

This book presents the latest advances in knowledge of the pathogenesis of thyroid diseases and describes the state of the art in their diagnosis and treatment, including newly emerging management approaches. After an opening section that addresses thyroid physiology and laboratory evaluation, each of the major thyroid diseases and their subtypes is discussed, covering goiter and thyroid nodule, thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxicosis, and thyroid carcinoma. Other conditions that affect thyroid function or induce thyroid dysfunction are also considered, e.g., pregnancy, non-thyroidal disorders, and medication use. The book is designed to assist practitioners to achieve optimal outcomes in clinical routine by providing clear guidance on clinical examination, the use of diagnostic tests, first- and second-line therapies, and follow-up. Chapter have been written by recognized experts in the field.

This atlas is the offspring of the “The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Thyroid Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) State of the Science Conference,” hosted by the NCI and organized by Dr. Andrea Abati. Preparations for the conference began 18 months earlier with the designation of a steering committee and the establishment of a dedicated, p- manent web site. The meeting took place on October 22 and 23, 2007 in Bethesda, Maryland and was co-moderated by Susan J. Mandel and Edmund S. Cibas. The discussions and conclusions regarding terminology and morphologic criteria 1, 2 from the meeting were summarized in publications by Baloch et al. and form the framework for this atlas. The atlas is organized by the general categories of “Nondiagnostic,” “Benign,” “Follicular Neoplasm/Suspicious for a Follicular Neoplasm”, “Suspicious for Malignancy,” and “Malignant,” and it includes the defi- tions and morphologic criteria of these categories as set forth by Baloch et al. The majority of the conference participants also agreed on a category of “undetermined significance,” which is incorporated in this atlas (Chap. 4). It is critical that the cytopathologist communicate thyroid FNA interpretations to the referring physician in terms that are succinct, unambiguous, and helpful clinically. We recognize that the terminology used here is a flexible framework that can be modified by individual laboratories to meet the needs of their providers and the patients they serve.

According to the Autoimmune Diseases Coordinating Committee (ADCC), between 14.7 and 23.5 million people in the USA – up to eight percent of the population are affected by autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases are a family of more than 100 chronic, and often disabling, illnesses that develop when underlying defects in the immune system lead the body to attack its own organs, tissues, and cells. In Handbook of Autoimmune Disease, the editors have gathered in a comprehensive handbook a critical review, by renowned experts, of more than 100 autoimmune diseases, divided into two main groups, namely systemic and organ-specific autoimmune diseases. A contemporary overview of these conditions with special emphasis on diagnosis is presented. Each chapter contains the essential information required by attending physicians as well as bench scientists to understand the definition of a specific autoimmune disease, the diagnostic criteria, and the treatment.