A thorough yet concise account of cancer biology, this book emphasizes the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the transformation of normal into malignant cells, the invasiveness of cancer cells into host tissues, and the metastatic spread of cancer cells in the host organism. It also defines the fundamental pathophysiological changes that occur in tumor tissue and in the host animal or patient. The approach throughout the book is to discuss the historical development of a field, citing the key experimental advances to the present day, and to evaluate the current evidence that best supports or rules out concepts of the molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating cancer cell behavior. For all the areas of fundamental cancer research, an effort has been made to relate basic research findings to the clinical disease states. The book is well illustrated with schematic diagrams and actual research data to demonstrate points made in the text, and there is an extensive, up-to-date bibliography. The Third Edition includes completely new chapters on genetic alterations in cancer cells, tumor suppresser genes, transcriptional regulation, growth factors and signal transduction mechanisms, cell cycle regulation and apoptosis, gene-targeted therapy for cancer, and cancer prevention. All other chapters have been thoroughly updated.

1. Characteristics of Human Cancer 2. The Epidemiology of Human Cancer 3. Genetic Alterations in Cancer Cells 4. Phenotypic Characteristics of Cancer Cells 5. Alteration of Cellular Differentiation in Cancer 6. Causes of Cancer 7. Oncogenes 8. Tumor Suppressor Genes 9. Growth Factors and Signal Transduction Mechanisms 10. Cell Cycle Regulation and Apoptosis 11. Biology of Tumor Metastasis 12. Host-Tumor Interactions: Tumor Effects on the Host 13. Tumor Immunology: Immunological Approaches to the Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer 14. Gene-Targeted Therapy for Cancer 15. Cancer Prevention

Raymond W. Ruddon , Professor of Oncology and Director, Eppley Institute for Cancer Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center

"A comprehensive review of cancer biology...well-written and easy to understand...The blend of clinical and basic science approaches makes the book a must for clinicians interested in the basic concepts of cancer biology, and for scientists and trainees working in cancer research. The author is to be complimented on his ability to provide this understandable yet comprehensive text in such an important and rapidly evolving field."--Annals of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada