The Elusive Road Towards Effective Cancer Prevention and Treatment

Cancer will remain a global major health problem unless new diagnostic, prognostic, and management approaches are discovered to address both loss of life and quality of life. Here we summarize the general physiology, pathology, heterogeneity, and evolution of cancer, current status, limitations and challenges associated with prevention, incidence, treatment, survival, and mortality, as well as future directions with regards to solid tumors. Perspectives are provided on how to improve pre-clinical understandings, outcomes, and patient care. Further, this comprehensive, timely overview of the literature has educational value as part of an academic course, seminar, or as a supplementary text. Features : This book summarizes the current status, successes, difficulties, advancements, limitations, and challenges in medical interventions that impact patients quality of life. Includes concise descriptions of all relevant cell and molecular biology concepts including evolutionary paradigms, hallmarks of cancer, and heterogeneity to help understand the pathophysiology of cancer, cancer-associated disease conditions, and effective cancer therapy. Contains an array of colorful figures and schematics summarizing complex informative pathological, physiological, and biochemical concepts. Covers a multitude of sub-topics pertaining to cancer biology including diagnosis; chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapy; metastasis; disseminated and circulating tumor cells, and cancer stem cells; drug resistance and cellular reprogramming; complex epigenetics; tumor-derived exosomes; oncogenic viruses; metabolic syndrome and cancer metabolism; convoluted neovascularization; efficient biomarkers; immunotherapy; role of nutraceuticals and natural products. Provides perspectives on how to improve pre-clinical understandings, and outcomes, linking toxicological, and pharmacological aspects in patient care. This timely, relevant comprehensive assortment of scientific literature has educational value to a wider audience including as part of an academic course, seminar, or as a supplementary text.