Foundations of Colorectal Cancer

Foundations of Colorectal Cancer provides a holistic and comprehensive dive into colorectal cancer, discussing the contributions of each discipline that studies it, allowing its understanding from the most demographic and ethical facts, to the treatment process, its varieties and genetic background. Written by experts in diverse areas such as cancer research, oncology, genetics, biochemistry, psychology, social sciences, bioinformatics and palliative care, the book brings real-world experiences to help readers with any challenge they may face when dealing with patients or during their research workflow.

The content is split into nine sections: Clinical manifestations and disease detection, covering primary and secondary prevention, and the role of primary care; Diagnosis and staging, discussing endoscopy, colonoscopy, molecular pathology, and anatomopathological diagnosis; Treatment, including endoscopic, surgical, radiological, and postoperative approaches; Molecular and biological mechanisms, with the role of intestinal microbiota, stem cells and signaling pathways; New diagnostic methods, encompassing biomarkers and bioinformatics tools for research; Biobanks, with an overview of their regulations and importance in the research; Epidemiological studies, focusing on incidence and mortality globally and by regions; Hereditary colorectal cancer, differentiating nonpolyposis and polyposis types; and Addressing the consequences of colorectal cancer, covering psychological effects, nutrition and ethical issues.

• Provides a multidisciplinary approach with a holistic view of colorectal cancer, ranging from basic science to population studies, with its social and environmental influences and impacts, interpreting the disease as a medical, chemical, physical, microbial, psychological, and social condition
• Written by a diverse group of specialists with complementary expertise, including oncologists, radiologists, biochemists, surgeons, psychologists, social workers and clinicians, all members of the Galician Research Network of Colorectal Cancer (REGICC) with vast collaboration experience to bring comprehensive knowledge on the subject
• Encompasses reliable information suitable for different workers within the healthcare sector and research community dedicated to colorectal cancer, from clinicians and healthcare providers, researchers on several aspects of cancer, to bioinformaticians who deal with health data
• Includes many case studies throughout the chapters discussed by specialists with high scientific accuracy and didactic value, in order to clearly and precisely share their professional experience on the subject with readers