CRC BREAST CANC: PROG TRTMT PRVNT PDF

Preface

In the Americas and European countries breast cancer has the highest incidence of all cancers in women (25 to 30%). In the United States 1 woman in 8 is likely to develop breast cancer in her lifetime; for the European countries the statistic is one in 12. However, the incidence is significantly lower in Japan, where the risk of developing breast cancer is only 1 in 80.

In recent years, with the application of new methodological technologies, particularly in molecular biology, there has been a huge advance in our knowledge of the mechanism and factors (e.g., growth factors, oncogens, and specific proteins) involved in the breast cancerization process, as well as in that of prognostic factors to detect the presence of a tumor in the breast at an early stage and in treatment.

In a new concept developed for the mammary organ, it was observed that steroid hormones (e.g., estradiol) are produced in the same organ in which they have their biological response. This information extends the Intacrine Concept to the mammary tissue. Consequently, the use of new substances to block the estrogen formation (e.g., antiaromatase) has opened new possibilities for blocking the biosynthesis of estrogens, as it is well known that estradiol is one of the main factors in the evolution of breast cancer.

This book examines aspects of human breast cancer including: the mechanism involved in carcinogenesis; the relationship among a fetus, pregnancy, and breast cancer; the control of proliferation in the normal and neoplastic breast; prognostic and predictive factors; the inhibition of cell growth and the induction of apoptosis; the importance of the estrogen receptor; the SEEM (selective estrogen enzyme modulators), including the aromatase inhibitors and their clinical applications; the SERM (selective estrogen receptor modulators); the importance of cathepsin D; recent developments in endocrine treatment; the relationship among hormone replacement therapy, the menopause, and breast cancer; the adjuvant treatment of premenopausal women; cytotoxic therapy and other nonhormonal approaches for the treatment of metastases; management of locally advanced breast cancer; therapeutic applications of angiogenesis; the role of phytoestrogens in breast cancer; and the importance of BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 in hereditary breast cancer.

In conclusion, this book provides very recent information on a wide range of aspects of breast cancer and is useful for oncologists, endocrinologists, gynecologists, general clinicians, biologists, physiologists, and advanced students.