Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed condition in oncology, affecting around 1.23 million individuals per year, according to recent statistics. Of these patients, about 50% will develop liver metastases and approximately 20% will present a stage IV disease at diagnosis. These statistics make colorectal liver metastases (CLM) an issue of major importance in current oncology. The area of CLM is subject to great and continuous advances, as its pathophysiologic mechanisms are better understood and more therapeutic and surgical options are developed. Consequently, all professionals involved with the diagnosis, treatment and follow up of CLM should be kept up to date with the latest advances on the field, to provide high standard medical care to their patients. This book is designed to present the state-of-the-art in CLM management and, in doing so, to review the current evidence on CLM, discussing all important topics in the field. Coverage is broad and comprehensive, encompassing introductory topics (history, definitions, epidemiology, etc.), basic science subjects (molecular biology, genetics, dissemination process, etc.) and practical clinical topics (tumor behavior, diagnosis, drug therapy, radiation therapy, surgery, ablation, multidisciplinary teams, etc.). Although comprehensive on the coverage and selection of topics, each chapter is concise and objective, dissecting topics in a practical and direct format. Evidences and recommendations are included. Chapters display a brief introduction of the common knowledge, go straight to the detailed revision of the most recent years of the literature, and end with practical closing observations. This book is a tool for professionals (general and cancer surgeons, HPB surgeons, clinical oncologists, gastroenterologists and medical residents) and interns who search for a qualified and reader friendly revision on topics concerning Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases.

One reason for failure to cure solid tumors by surgery appears to be the impossibility of controlling metastases that are present but latent at the time of operation. This failure is a common clinical experience with aggressive neoplasms. but it is not always appreciated in tumors with longer survival times. e. g .• breast and colon cancer. In addition. recent evidence indicates that after resection of a primary tumor micrometas tases from it might be enhanced by suppression of immune and reticu loendothelial functions of the host. Other factors, such as increase of coagulability and stress in the perioperative period, can also promote tumor growth. The development of new metastases might be facilitated by cells forced into the circulation during operative manipulations. Such events could be important for the outcome of treatment and it is suggested that preventive measures should be directed to this systemic component of solid tumors. Radical surgery can reduce the number of tumor cells to a subclinical 3 6 stage (10 to 10 cells) in which chemotherapy might be more effective than in advanced stages. Chemotherapy, on the other hand, might aggravate the surgical morbidity by influencing the wound healing pro cess, by decreasing the immune response, and/or by toxicity to the bone marrow and to the gastrointestinal tract, for example.

The global epidemic of hepatitis B and C is a serious public health problem. Hepatitis B and C are the major causes of chronic liver disease and liver cancer in the world. In the next 10 years, 150,000 people in the United States will die from liver disease or liver cancer associated with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Today, between 800,000 and 1.4 million people in the United States have chronic hepatitis B and between 2.7 and 3.9 million have chronic hepatitis C. People most at risk for hepatitis B and C often are the least likely to have access to medical services. Reducing the rates of illness and death associated with these diseases will require greater awareness and knowledge among health care workers, improved identification of at-risk people, and improved access to medical care. Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable disease. Although federal public health officials recommend that all newborns, children, and at-risk adults receive the vaccine, about 46,000 new acute cases of the HBV infection emerge each year, including 1,000 in infants who acquire the infection during birth from their HBV-positive mothers. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C, which is transmitted by direct exposure to infectious blood. Hepatitis and Liver Cancer identifies missed opportunities related to the prevention and control of HBV and HCV infections. The book presents ways to reduce the numbers of new HBV and HCV infections and the morbidity and mortality related to chronic viral hepatitis. It identifies priorities for research, policy, and action geared toward federal, state, and local public health officials, stakeholder, and advocacy groups and professional organizations.

This book provides a quick reference guide for clinicians in radiation oncology. It is designed to be an intuitive and easily reviewed study guide for board or maintenance of certification examinations, as well as a quick reference for residents and established radiation oncologists who need a refresher. The text begins with a general pearls chapter that radiation oncologists should consider in all aspects of their practice, including cancer visibility, dosing, counseling recommendations, and toxicity management. The subsequent chapters then delve into different cancer disease sites, including pediatrics, central nervous system, head and neck, thoracic, breast, gastrointestinal, gynecologic, genitourinary, hematologic, soft tissue, palliative, and radiophysics/radiobiology. Within each chapter, each disease and its recommended approach is then summarized in only a few pages, allowing a focus on the most essential information. Bullet points, figures, tables, and images make for an intuitive reader experience. Recommendations are taken from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), the European Society for Radiation Oncology (ESTRO), and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Planning guides for imaging, diagnosis, and staging offer readers a starting point in approaching each patient based on disease origin, and dosing guidelines then detail consideration for treatment methods. Each chapter additionally includes disease-specific pearls and key points to test the knowledge reviewed in the chapters. Experts in the disease sites from the United States serve as senior authors on each chapter. The authors include all diseases associated with radiation oncology training to ensure a comprehensive resource for exam studying and clinical care. Residents, trainees, and established radiation oncologists find this an ideal study resource for both board and certification exams, as well as an easily accessible aid during practice.

This book explores in detail the primary liver cancers of hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma examining the pathogenesis of disease along with diagnosis and current management options together with exploration of future treatment strategies and areas of controversy. Furthermore, the book highlights management of the common secondary malignancies and touches on benign liver tumours and how to best manage these. Written in a clear and didactic style, this volume includes summaries of the key learning points and questions so that the reader can gauge their knowledge and understanding. This book is aimed to broaden the knowledge base of primary care physicians, general physicians along with specialists in hepatology, oncology and hepato-biliary surgery