The Role of Chromosomes in Cancer Biology provides a description of the molecular organization and function of chromosomes and the consequences of chromosomal aberrations in human development. The book presents accounts on the structure and function of the chromosome; the cellular features of primary tumors and ascetic fluid; the cytological actions of radiation and drugs and their relevance to therapy. Developmental disorders caused by chromosomal anomalies; chromosome aneuploidy in human malignancies; and viral oncogenesis are discussed as well. The book will prove to be very insightful to t.

Examines what is known about cancer cells and current cancer research.

Cancer is a collection of diseases that can affect basically every organ of our body, all of which have in common uncontrolled cellular growth. The cells forming our body have the potential to grow in the context of wound healing or for the constant replacement of cells in our blood, skin or intestine. Behind every newly diagnosed malignant tumor in adulthood there is an individual history of probably 20 or more years of tumorigenesis. Therefore, malignant tumor formation often takes time making cancer in most cases to an aging-related disease that we seem not to be able to evade. However, tumorigenesis is dependent on multiple environmental influences, many of which we have under control by lifestyle decisions, such as retaining from smoking, selecting healthy food and being physically active. Thus, cancer preventive interventions are the most effective way to fight against cancer. This textbook wants not only to describe basic mechanisms leading to cancer but also to provide the readers with a more holistic view including cancer surveaillance mechanisms of the immune system. We will place these insights in the context of the personal consequences of everyone’s lifestyle decisions. The content of the book is linked to the lecture course in “Cancer Biology”, which is given by Prof. Carlberg since 2005 at the University of Eastern Finland in Kuopio. Moreover, biological processes explained in this book will be set into a clinical context using the experience of Dr. Velleuer in the daily care in oncology. This book also relates to the textbooks “Mechanisms of Gene Regulation: How Science Works” (ISBN 978-3-030-52321-3), “Human Epigenetics: How Science Works” (ISBN 978-3-030-22907-8) and “Nutrigenomics: How Science Works” (ISBN 978-3-030-36948-4), the studying of which may be interesting to readers who like to get more detailed information.

This volume collates world experts’ insights into the molecular biology of cancer chromosomes, their abnormalities and the subsequent cellular consequences. Exploring themes involving oncogenes, such as by chromosomal translocations, other genome rearrangements and somatic mutations, this book is a review of the field of cancer genetics that presages a new era, as whole genome sequencing becomes more accessible. The work begins with a look at historical themes, such as the analysis of metaphase chromosomes using microscopy and staining techniques, advances in which provided our first broad glimpse into the genetic anatomy of a malignant cell. Readers will learn about the application of DNA molecular cloning techniques in the 1980s, that led to the identification of the genes involved in the Philadelphia and Burkitt's lymphoma chromosomal translocations, solidifying the role of oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes in cancer aetiology via chromosomal alterations and which launched a field in cancer genetics. Subsequent chapters bring the reader up to date by reviewing recent developments in the field, with dedicated sections on leukaemia/lymphoma, sarcomas and epithelial tumours. Contributions feature numerous colour tables and illustrations and this volume will provide a basis for understanding cancer chromosomes for many years to come.