Although lymphoscintigraphy was originally introduced into clinical routine for identification of the cause of peripheral edema, more recently it has been widely applied for radioguided biopsy of the sentinel lymph node in patients with solid cancers. The procedure is now considered crucial for adequate planning of oncologic surgery in a growing number of cancers. This atlas presents a collection of richly illustrated teaching cases that demonstrate the clinical relevance and impact of lymphoscintigraphy in different pathologic conditions. After introductory chapters on the anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of lymphatic circulation, the role of lymphoscintigraphy in differential diagnosis of peripheral edema and characterization of intracavitary lymph effusions is addressed. The principal focus of the book, however, is on the use of lymphoscintigraphic mapping for radioguided sentinel node biopsy in cutaneous melanoma and cancers at a range of anatomic sites. The most commonly observed lymphoscintigraphic patterns are depicted, and anatomic variants and technical pitfalls of the procedure receive careful attention. The role of tomographic multimodality imaging is also considered. The atlas will be an excellent learning tool for residents in nuclear medicine and other specialists with an interest in the field.

This textbook describes in detail the process of cancer metastasis from a single cell in the primary site through its arduous journey to the sentinel lymph node as the main gateway and beyond to distant sites. The most up-to-date knowledge on key topics in the molecular biology, diagnosis, and treatment of metastatic cancer is highlighted by a large panel of experts. The book begins with a comprehensive overview of the genetic and molecular mechanisms that promote or inhibit cancer metastasis through lymphatic pathways to lymph nodes or through vascular pathways to distant sites, providing the reader with an essential basic knowledge. This is followed by further details on the role of the immune system within the primary tumor and the lymph node and the importance of the microenvironment at the metastatic site. The role of the sentinel lymph node in cancer metastasis is emphasized. Special attention is also given to state-of-the-art imaging techniques for the detection of early-stage cancer and cancer metastases, as well as the use of liquid biopsies in sarcoma, prostate, gastrointestinal, and lung cancer. Clinical patterns of malignant tumors arising in different organ systems are compared, described, and discussed with the goal of determining what similarities and/or differences exist. The book concludes with a detailed discussion of surgical intervention, radiation, and systemic therapy of primary and metastatic cancer, and briefly previews several emerging topics, such as the latest findings on personalized cancer therapy, cancer stem cells, unique molecular mechanisms of virus-induced cancer, the impact of the microbiome on cancer metastasis and the application of artificial intelligence in cancer metastasis research. By providing fundamental knowledge of the biological and clinical aspects of cancer metastasis, this book will be an important reference for cancer researchers, clinical oncologists, teachers, and students. Written by experts in the field, each chapter includes a summary of the chapter's key points and open-ended questions that address pressing issues in the field and encourage the reader to consider future directions.

The American Joint Committee on Cancer's Cancer Staging Manual is used by physicians throughout the world to diagnose cancer and determine the extent to which cancer has progressed. All of the TNM staging information included in this Sixth Edition is uniform between the AJCC (American Joint Committee on Cancer) and the UICC (International Union Against Cancer). In addition to the information found in the Handbook, the Manual provides standardized data forms for each anatomic site, which can be utilized as permanent patient records, enabling clinicians and cancer research scientists to maintain consistency in evaluating the efficacy of diagnosis and treatment. The CD-ROM packaged with each Manual contains printable copies of each of the book’s 45 Staging Forms.

This book will be a comprehensive study of the lymphatic system and its immunological role. It will begin with lymphatic capillaries, their origin and development. It will treat lymph circulation, in general, with a special emphasis on lymph circulation in parenchymal organs. The next section will address lymph nodes, subcortical circulation and the conduit system. It will discuss organs with no lymphatic system, such as the brain. Finally, it will cover lymph composition and cells in the lymph. While primarily basic research, the volume will touch upon elements of the clinical, as well, broadening its scope and appeal.​

The formation of blood vessels is an essential aspect of embryogenesis in vertebrates. It is a central feature of numerous post-embryonic processes, including tissue and organ growth and regeneration. It is also part of the pathology of tumour formation and certain inflammatory conditions. In recent years, comprehension of the molecular genetics of blood vessel formation has progressed enormously and studies in vertebrate model systems, especially the mouse and the zebrafish, have identified a common set of molecules and processes that are conserved throughout vertebrate embryogenesis while, in addition, highlighting aspects that may differ between different animal groups. The discovery in the past decade of the crucial role of new blood vessel formation for the development of cancers has generated great interest in angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones), with its major implications for potential cancer-control strategies. In addition, there are numerous situations where therapeutic treatments either require or would be assisted by vasculogenesis (the de novo formation of blood vessels). In particular, post-stroke therapies could include treatments that stimulate neovascularization of the affected tissues. The development of such treatments, however, requires thoroughly understanding the developmental properties of endothelial cells and the basic biology of blood vessel formation. While there are many books on angiogenesis, this unique book focuses on exactly this basic biology and explores blood vessel formation in connection with tissue development in a range of animal models. It includes detailed discussions of relevant cell biology, genetics and embryogenesis of blood vessel formation and presents insights into the cross-talk between developing blood vessels and other tissues. With contributions from vascular biologists, cell biologists and developmental biologists, a comprehensive and highly interdisciplinary volume is the outcome.