A Practical Guide to Human Cancer Genetics / Edition 3

by Shirley Hodgson, William Foulkes, Charis Eng, Eamonn Maher

Overview

This is a comprehensive and up-to-date guide to the diagnosis, clinical features and management of inherited disorders conferring cancer susceptibility. This new edition is fully updated with much more molecular, screening and management information. It covers risk analysis and genetic counseling for individuals with a family history of cancer, and also discusses predictive testing and the organization of the cancer genetics service. It aims to provide such details in a practical format for geneticists and clinicians in all disciplines. This book differs from others in the field in that it is a practical handbook for easy reference for a wide clinical audience. There is a large reference list for further details, as well as information about the genes causing mendelian cancer predisposing condition and their mechanism of action.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521685634
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	12/07/2006
Edition description:	Revised Edition
Pages:	410
Product dimensions:	6.85(w) x 9.76(h) x 0.75(d)

About the Author

Shirley Hodgson is Professor of Cancer Genetics at St George's Hospital Medical School.

Eamonn Maher is Professor of Medical Genetics and Head of Section of Medical and Molecular Genetics at the University of Birmingham School of Medicine's Institute of Biomedical Research. He is also Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Medical Genetics.

Charis Eng is Professor and Director of the Genomic Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, and Professor and Vice Chairman of the Department of Genetics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.

William Foulkes is the Director of the Program in Cancer Genetics, Departments of Oncology and Human Genetics, and Associate Professor of the Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal.

Table of Contents

Part I: 1. Genetic counselling in a familial cancer clinic; Part II. Genetics of Human Cancers by Site of Origin: 2. Central nervous system; 3. Eye; 4. Cardiorespiratory system and thorax; 5. Endocrine system; 6. Gastrointestinal system; 7. Reproductive system; 8. Urinary system; 9. Blood and lymph; 10. Musculoskeletal system; 11. Skin; Part III: 12. Inherited cancer-predisposing syndromes.

Editorial Reviews

Reviews of the first edition: ' As a clinician practicing in the field, if I had to choose one book, it would be this one.' Human Genetics

'The chapters are concise, well written, and extensively outlined.' Oncology

'This book is highly recommended as a reference source to students, practitioners, and specialists. It will serve as an excellent starting point to discuss genetic disorders with patients.' Oncology

From the Publisher

3 Stars from Doody

This book is a general overview of the underlying molecular genetic basis of cancer, the genetics of human cancers by site of origin, and a review of inherited cancer-predisposing syndromes. This second edition is an update and expansion of the 1993 edition. The proposed objective of the book—to address the way in which new information about cancer genetics is entering into clinical practice—is met. This book is appropriately targeted towards clinicians in oncology, genetics, surgery, and medicine who are looking for guidance in the clinical setting. It may be too general in nature for researchers seeking detailed information on a particular topic. It is divided into three parts, as outlined in the description. The authors assume readers have a background in the fundamentals of human genetics; for those who do not, a concisely written 20-page appendix is a summary of this information. The site-by-site discussions are well-organized and cover a wide range of diagnoses. They are useful for readers looking for information on the genetic contribution to a specific cancer type. Summaries of the individual hereditary cancer syndromes are one to six pages in length and cover diagnosis, natural history, clinical management, and the underlying genetics of the condition. Although mentioned briefly, the authors should have provided a more detailed discussion in a separate section on the process of genetic counseling and risk assessment, ethical issues in cancer susceptibility testing, and the psychological implications of such information. This book is useful for the clinician seeking a general reference to turn to as a first source of information about human cancer genetics. Ascompared to other texts on the subject, case studies, which are particularly useful in illustrating key points about hereditary conditions, are not used. A second edition was necessary given the recent advances in knowledge in this area.

Aimee Wonderlick

Not the genetics of the cancer itself, but of the human risk of contracting it, are the concern of Hodgson (clinical genetics, Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals) and Maher (medical genetics, U. of Birmingham). They introduce the basic concepts and mechanisms of tumorigenesis and the inherited predisposition to cancer; provide a systems approach to the incidence, significance, and management of predisposition; and describe specific inherited cancer syndromes with relevant clinical information. The overview is meant for clinicians. The first edition appeared in 1993. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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