Targeted Therapies for Lung Cancer


Book Description

This book contextualizes translational research and provides an up to date progress report on therapies that are currently being targeted in lung cancer. It is now well established that there is tremendous heterogeneity among cancer cells both at the inter- and intra-tumoral level. Further, a growing body of work highlights the importance of targeted therapies and personalized medicine in treating cancer patients. In contrast to conventional therapies that are typically administered to the average patient regardless of the patient’s genotype, targeted therapies are tailored to patients with specific traits. Nonetheless, such genetic changes can be disease-specific and/or target specific; thus, the book addresses these issues manifested in the somatically acquired genetic changes of the targeted gene. Each chapter is written by a leading medical oncologist who specializes in thoracic oncology and is devoted to a particular target in a specific indication. Contributors provide an in-depth review of the literature covering the mechanisms underlying signaling, potential cross talk between the target and downstream signaling, and potential emergence of drug resistance.




AJCC Cancer Staging Manual


Book Description

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.




Living with Lung Cancer--My Journey


Book Description

This story is about Thomas Cappiello's journey to overcoming the emotional devastation of a cancer diagnosis, dealing with the disease and making choices.




How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease


Book Description

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.







When Someone You Love Has Advanced Cancer: Support for Caregivers


Book Description

When Someone You Love Has Advanced Cancer is a booklet for friends and family members taking care of a person with advanced cancer. This booklet covers making new decisions about care, how to discuss issues and changes with the health care team, getting support and asking for help, life planning and advance directives, talking with family and friends, talking with children and teens about advanced cancer, communicating with your loved one who has cancer, and tips on caring for both your physical and emotional self. Related products: Caring for the Caregiver: Support for Cancer Caregivers – ePub format only – ISBN: 9780160947520 Children with Cancer: A Guide for Parents -- ePub format only -- ISBN: 9780160947537 Coping with Advanced Cancer: Support for People with Cancer -- ePub format only ISBN: 9780160947544 Eating Hints: Before, during and after Cancer Treatment -- ePub format only --ISBN: 9780160947551 Life After Cancer Treatment: Facing Forward -- ePub format only -- ISBN: 9780160947568 Pain Control: Support for People with Cancer -- ePub format only -- ISBN: 9780160947575 Radiation Therapy and You: Support for People with Cancer --ePub format only -- ISBN: 9780160947582 Surgery Choice for Women with DCIS and Breast Cancer -- ePub format only -- ISBN: 9780160947599 Taking Part in Cancer Research Studies --ePub format only -- ISBN: 9780160947605 Understanding Breast Changes: A Health Guide for Women --ePub format only -- ISBN: 9780160947612 Understanding Cervical Changes: A Health Guide for Women -- ePub format only -- ISBN: 9780160947629 When Cancer Returns: Support for People with Cancer -- ePub format only -- ISBN: 9780160947636 When Someone You Love Has Completed Cancer Treatment: Facing Forward --ePub format only -- ISBN: 9780160947650 When Someone You Love Is Being Treated for Cancer: Support for Caregivers --ePub format only -- ISBN: 9780160947667 When Your Brother or Sister Has Cancer: A Guide for Teens --ePub format only -- ISBN: 9780160947674 When Your Parent Has Cancer: A Guide for Teens -- ePub format only -- ISBN: 9780160947681




How Cancer Cured Me


Book Description




Marijuana As Medicine?


Book Description

Some people suffer from chronic, debilitating disorders for which no conventional treatment brings relief. Can marijuana ease their symptoms? Would it be breaking the law to turn to marijuana as a medication? There are few sources of objective, scientifically sound advice for people in this situation. Most books about marijuana and medicine attempt to promote the views of advocates or opponents. To fill the gap between these extremes, authors Alison Mack and Janet Joy have extracted critical findings from a recent Institute of Medicine study on this important issue, interpreting them for a general audience. Marijuana As Medicine? provides patientsâ€"as well as the people who care for themâ€"with a foundation for making decisions about their own health care. This empowering volume examines several key points, including: Whether marijuana can relieve a variety of symptoms, including pain, muscle spasticity, nausea, and appetite loss. The dangers of smoking marijuana, as well as the effects of its active chemical components on the immune system and on psychological health. The potential use of marijuana-based medications on symptoms of AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and several other specific disorders, in comparison with existing treatments. Marijuana As Medicine? introduces readers to the active compounds in marijuana. These include the principal ingredient in Marinol, a legal medication. The authors also discuss the prospects for developing other drugs derived from marijuana's active ingredients. In addition to providing an up-to-date review of the science behind the medical marijuana debate, Mack and Joy also answer common questions about the legal status of marijuana, explaining the conflict between state and federal law regarding its medical use. Intended primarily as an aid to patients and caregivers, this book objectively presents critical information so that it can be used to make responsible health care decisions. Marijuana As Medicine? will also be a valuable resource for policymakers, health care providers, patient counselors, medical faculty and studentsâ€"in short, anyone who wants to learn more about this important issue.




Palliative Care in Oncology


Book Description

Palliative care provides comprehensive support for severely affected patients with any life-limiting or life-threatening diagnosis. To do this effectively, it requires a disease-specific approach as the patients’ needs and clinical context will vary depending on the underlying diagnosis. Experts in the field of palliative care and oncology describe in detail the needs of patients with advanced cancer in comparison to those with non-cancer disease and also identify the requirements of patients with different cancer entities. Basic principles of symptom control are explained, with careful attention to therapy for pain associated with either the cancer or its treatment and to symptom-guided antineoplastic therapy. Complex therapeutic strategies for palliative cancer patients are highlighted that involve both cancer- and symptom-directed options and address a range of therapeutic aims. Issues relating to drug use in palliative cancer care are fully explored, and a separate section is devoted to care in the final phase. A range of organizational and policy issues are also discussed, and the book concludes by considering likely future developments in palliative care for cancer patients. Palliative Care in Oncology will be of particular interest to palliative care physicians who are interested in broadening the scope of their disease-specific knowledge, as well as to oncologists who wish to learn more about modern palliative care concepts relevant to their day-to-day work with cancer patients.




Lung Cancer Imaging


Book Description

While specialists often guide the care to lung cancer patients, it is often a general radiologist who is left to interpret studies that impact patient care and management. Lung Cancer Imaging provides a comprehensive guide to the diagnosis, staging and overview of the management of lung cancer relevant to practicing radiologists so that they can better understand the decision making issues and provide more directed and useful communication to the treating physicians. It Primary Care physicians will also find this book valuable to understand the relevant issues that they face when one of their patients is being treated for lung cancer.