Colorectal Cancer in Clinical Practice PDF

Preface to the second edition

Four years ago we published the first edition of this book, which aimed to provide the practicing clinician with an easy-to-read update on colorectal cancer. We believe that this objective Was reached and the volume received complimentary and positive reviews in prestigious journals (Pignone M, Book review. Gastroenterology 2003; 125: 549; Nelson H, Book review. New England Journal of Medicine 2002; 347: 71). The first edition is now also available as an ebook (http:ebookstore.tandf.co.uk).

Unfortunately, colorectal cancer is still a major malignancy in countries with a westernized lifestyle and is becoming so in countries that adopt this lifestyle. With the increasing industrialization and resulting affluence of non-Western countries, colorectal cancer has become a major rnedical problem in Eastern Europe, and in areas of Asia and Latin America. Together with the increasingly aging population of these countries, these lifestyle risk factors have made colorectal cancer one of the most common malignancies worldwide.

Since preparing the first edition, there has been progress in identifying these risk factors, both Lifestyle and genetic factors. This has led to a better understanding of the dietary and lifestyle preventive actions that need to be implemented from early life. Recognition of the genetic pathways to neoplasia helps us understand how to timely recognize farni!ies at risk and nffer clinical intervention! including; chemoprevention, when appropriate. Screening for co!orecta! cancer is being accepted as good and standard medical praGtice in more and more countries. Screening methodology has become more sophisticated, sensitive, and specific, with the large-scale introduction of quality controlled, automated developed quantitative irnmunochemica! fecal occult blood tests, and endoscopy screening programs.

The last few years have seen the development of new colorectal cancer therapies that significantly prolong survival. These are now based on a better understanding of the biologic pathways of carcinogenesis and metastasis.

For all the above reasons, We believe it is timely to update the first edition. We do not regard this as a reference tome, but as a book that the practicing clinician can refer to for updated information on colorectal cancer in all its aspects. The text has been updated and so have the references. These are not intended to be' all-inclusive, but to provide recent publiations for extra information and back references. We have keept the language and layout straight-forward and added tables and figures to illustrate points made in the text.

We hope that readers will find the information and advice they need in this book.