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Given the latest advances in cancer research, which includes basic research and its derived diagnostic, clinical, and therapeutic applications, the book New Trends in Cancer for the 21st Century is written by individuals such as molecular biologists, whose tasks are to decipher, after sequencing the human genome, those new genes and pathways involved in the carcinogenesis process; clinical and molecular pathologists, who apply these discoveries for the molecular diagnosis and characterization of the tumor; and clinical oncologists, who treat patients. Pharmacogenetics introduces new perspectives in the translational fields with the design of drugs against specific targets, which at this moment are in clinical trials phases. This book achieves a state of the art in every field of cancer research and discusses the new perspectives that will open the future for cancer treatment (basic research, new technologies, new drugs, therapies...). For this reason, the book is intended for pathologists, clinicians, and biologists, as well as fellows and students of physiology and medicine.

It is difficult to imagine anyone who has not heard of cancer. This disease can affect families, friends or any one of us at any time in our lives. Every year nearly 3 million Europeans are diagnosed with cancer, leading to around 800,000 deaths per year. These deaths occur not only in aging populations, but also in children and adults who are in the most active period of their lives. This represents a tremendous problem that cannot be ignored by politicians or citizens. Fortunately, there is a constantly growing awareness that although cancer is a problem to be dealt with by clinicians, it should also be the concern of everyone. This volume contains the lectures held at the International Symposium on Cancer'New Trends in Cancer for the 21st Century'. Fundamental researchers, politicians and representatives from patient coalitions share here their knowledge and interests as well as their concerns and experiences. Not only do these papers provide state-of-the-art information on cancer, they are also an opportunity to look at the problem from different points of view. It can be encouraging to realise that we are not alone in this fight.

It has been over a decade since the First International Symposium on Hormonal Carcinogenesis convened in 199 1. Since then, the field has rapidly expanded with considerable progress in both breast and prostate cancers; while ovarian and endometrial cancer have been hampered, in part, due to the absence of suitable hormone-mediated animal models. While knock-out, transgenic, and cell-culture systems have been extremely useful in identifying specific genelprotein alterations and the ensuing pathways affected, the precise molecular mechanisms whereby sex hormones elicit their oncogenic effects still remain elusive. Moreover, despite the considerable progress made in breast cancer research, the exact role of progestins in the presence or absence of estrogen in breast growth, differentiation, and malignant transformation is lacking. Elucidating the incipient molecular alterations in earlylpre-invasive lesions elicited by these hormones is a growing important focus of this field. The main purpose of these Symposia has been to address vital questions that impact our understanding of the causation, dependency, progression, resistance, and prevention of hormonally-associated cancers. We are indebted to the Scientific Advisory Board members who worked with us reviewing and offering suggestions to finalize the scientific program. We offer special thanks for the guidance and support of Dr. Gerald Mueller. His wisdom played an indispensable role in maintaining the excellence of these Symposia. We also acknowledge the numerous external reviewers that worked diligently to revise and improve the quality of the manuscripts. We are very grateful to Ms. Tandria Price.