A Practical Guide to Human Cancer Genetics

by Shirley V. Hodgson, William D. Foulkes, Charis Eng, Eamonn R. Maher

Overview

This is a comprehensive and up-to-date guide to the diagnosis, clinical features and management of inherited disorders conferring cancer susceptibility. It is fully updated with much molecular, screening and management information. It covers risk analysis and genetic counselling for individuals with a family history of cancer. It also discusses predictive testing and the organisation of the cancer genetics service. There is information about the genes causing Mendelian cancer predisposing conditions and their mechanism of action. It aims to provide such details in a practical format for geneticists and clinicians in all disciplines.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781447123750
Publisher:	Springer-Verlag New York, LLC
Publication date:	11/22/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	420
File size:	1 MB

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

1. Central Nervous System.- 2. Eye.- 3. Cardiorespiratory System and Thorax.- 4. Endocrine System.- 5. Gastrointestinal System.- 6. Reproductive System.- 7. Urinary System.- 8. Blood and Lymph.- 9. Musculoskeletal System.- 10. Skin.- 11. Inherited Cancer-Predisposing Syndromes.

Editorial Reviews

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)

Booknews

'The book is an excellent and enjoyable to read. The amateur who is satisfied with certainly will drive more from it than the impartial professional seeking and challenge. For the majority of doctors and especially human cancer genetics the book succeeds as an example of the precept 'first do not harm'. Human Cancer Genetics book is a super textbook and should be in the library of every scientist interested in this subject.' Universitá degli Studi 'G. D'Annunzio' - Chieti

' … oncology departments would do well to have a copy to hand … it is clear that the authors are well informed … Anyone with an interest in the incidence, significance, associations and management of a particular cancer predisposition will likely benefit from reading the relevant information contained in this book.' Human Genetics

'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.' Paul P. Carbone, Oncology

From the Publisher