Chemotherapy for Gynecological Neoplasms: Current Therapy and Novel Approaches PDF

Preface

The idea of a work entirely dedicated to the chemotherapeutic management of gynecological malignancies evolved from the recognized advances in this field throughout the last few years in addition to the lack of a well-structured book discussing this topic.

Gynecologists, general surgeons and medical oncologists were typically involved in the management of these patients with a mandatory tight collaboration among specialties. In the last 40years, however, the subspecialty of gynecologic oncology has rapidly grown. This subspecialty is quite unique because it includes various classical specialties such as abdominal/pelvis surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and molecular biology; moreover, the field of chemotherapy for patients affected by gynecologic tumors is becoming highly specialized. Gynecologic oncologists, as well as medical oncologists, are now regularly involved in the decision and administration of chemotherapy to these patients. The need for a systematic discussion of the use of chemotherapy for gynecologic malignancies was obvious. One of our main goals was to include standard therapies, major ongoing trials, and future directions in a very practical book.

The first section includes the basic principles of chemotherapy, with particular emphasis to the mechanism of action of the various drugs, their interaction in vitro as well as in vivo with other drugs, and interaction with the host. Immunotherapy, gene therapy, and pharmacogenomics are also discussed.

In the second part of the book, general clinical aspects of chemotherapy are described. This section begins with a description of how to write a clinical protocol and then continues to focus on concepts applicable to any patient receiving chemotherapy (i.e. supportive treatments, management complications, psychological support, pain management, etc.)

The final sections describe, in detail, the recommended chemotherapeutic management of cancer for each site organ of the lower female genital tract (ovary, fallopian tube, uterus, vulva, and vagina).

The various chapters have been written by highly specialized physicians and scientists entirely dedicated to the topic described. A panel of international experts in this field was chosen as authors of the various chapters. The close collaboration among different working groups has allowed this endeavor to be developed using a standardized method.

This book is directed to basic scientists in training and involved in research; it is dedicated to cancer treatment researchers, medical oncologists, as well as gynecologic oncologists in training and in practice. We find this book useful for both training and everyday clinical management. We also find this book useful for current management and future approaches for any physician and paramedic dealing with gynecologic cancer patients.