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This book discusses current controversial topics and therapeutic strategies in the treatment of malignant and benign ocular diseases, with special emphasis on ocular tumors. Written by leading specialists, the articles highlight the latest developments in the diagnosis and therapy of retinoblastomas, uveal melanomas and malignant lymphomas. Further contributions include such topics as the optimization of dosimetry and design of radioactive eye plaques, the effects and side-effects of radiotherapy of age-related macular degeneration, and new approaches for perioperative organ-preserving brachytherapy for orbital tumors. Readers will be particularly interested in the discussion of possible side-effects of photon and proton beam radiotherapy of the eye and their minimization. Extensive data from clinical studies evaluating radiotherapy in the management of endocrine orbitopathy are also provided. The final part is dedicated to radiotherapy of benign ocular diseases such as pterygium or choroidal and retinal hemangiomas. Compiling the most up-to-date and comprehensive information on ocular radiotherapy currently available and offering an interdisciplinary perspective, this book will be appreciated by ophthalmologists, radiotherapists and oncologists.

Under the auspices of the 12th International Symposium on Special Aspects in Radiotherapy 2008 in Berlin, acknowledged experts presented their perspectives on small and non-small cell lung cancer, reflecting the latest standards and engaging in controversies in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. In the first part of this volume, aspects of the diagnostic workup are highlighted from the histopathologist's point of view, followed by presentations concerning the value of PET-CT and whole-body MRI in the staging of lung cancer. The use and current methods in bronchoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, video-endoscopy and mediastinoscopy are discussed in detail. The second section presents surgical and radio-oncological treatment concepts for stage I/II non-small cell lung cancer including stereotactic radiotherapy. The third section outlines the curative options for stage III NSCLC: extended surgical approaches, definitive radiochemotherapy and current concepts in adjuvant therapies. Emphasis is also placed on altered fractionation schemes in radiotherapy. Section 4 is dedicated to palliative procedures and the last section gives an in-depth presentation of small cell lung cancer. This book provides an excellent overview of up-to-date standards and future strategies in lung cancer treatment. It will be of great value to surgeons, radiation oncologists, pulmonary specialists and other clinicians interested in this disease.

Treatment strategies in prostate cancer underlie a permanent change due to continuous improvements. Based on the 10th International Symposium on Special Aspects of Radiotherapy held in Berlin in 2006, this volume highlights key advances in surgical, radiooncological and systemic treatment standards for prostate cancer. Furthermore, interdisciplinary co-operations and controversies are presented and future developments are discussed. The four parts of the book cover the different stages of the disease - localized prostate cancer, the lymph node positive situation, biochemical recurrence, and hormone-refractory and metastatic prostate cancer. Special attention is given to the value and sequence of systemic treatment options in relation to surgery and radiotherapy. Proving the reader with the latest treatment standards of prostate cancer, this book will be of great value to urologists and radiation oncologists as well as to all others involved in the care of patients with prostate cancer.

Based on the 8th International Symposium on Special Aspects of Radiotherapy held in Berlin in 2004, this volume discusses current controversial topics in the management of skin neoplasias with special emphasis on radiotherapeutic and dermatologic strategies. Following an interdisciplinary approach, it presents the latest diagnostic and therapeutic developments for cutaneous lymphoma, basal and squamous cell carcinomas, and malignant melanoma. Two further chapters focus on more uncommon tumors such as Kaposi's sarcoma and Merkel cell carcinoma. A detailed overview of skin reactions to radiotherapy is given, and new trends in staging procedures are discussed. In summary, this book will not only be a valuable update for dermatologists and radiation oncologists, but will also provide useful insights for anyone involved in the care of patients with skin neoplasias.

This volume discusses diagnostic and therapeutic strategies including current controversial issues in the management of gastrointestinal tumors. Special emphasis is given to rectal and pancreatic cancer. The first part presents the latest diagnostic developments for rectal cancer with a focus on the role of preoperative radiotherapy and radio­chemotherapy. Also considered is the surgical technique of total mesorectal excision. Recurrent rectal cancer is another important issue under discussion. A large section of the book is devoted to the diagnosis and interdisciplinary treatment of pancreatic cancer. Controversies regarding the role of adjuvant radiochemotherapy are presented in detail. The final part is dedicated to the treatment of liver metastases and describes the results of surgical resection and new therapeutic approaches such as in situ ablation and radiosurgery. Offering an interdisciplinary perspective on gastrointestinal tumor therapy, this book will be of great value to surgeons and radiation oncologists. It will also be appreciated by other clinicians involved in the care of patients with gastrointestinal tumors.

Title from e-book title screen (viewed on Jan. 9, 2004)

Over the past few years, tremendous progress has been made in the development of therapies for prostate and bladder cancer. As a consequence, greatly improved surgical techniques as well as new forms of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy are now available. This interdisciplinary approach is reflected in the broad scope of this volume, which aims to provide an overview of current treatment strategies for bladder and prostate cancer. The first part of the book discusses the optimization of radiation techniques like 3 D planning or IMRT and focuses on definitive radiotherapy with or without adjuvant or neoadjuvant hormonal manipulation. The quality of life after therapy is another important issue. Further chapters deal with radical cystectomy and organ preservation by radio-chemotherapy as well as the treatment of T1G3 cancer. In the last part, the emphasis lies on brachytherapy, which has become increasingly important for the treatment of prostate cancer. This book will be of great value to urologists and radiation oncologists as well as to all others involved in the care of patients with urologic cancer.

This volume brings together an interdisciplinary group of specialists to present and discuss the latest diagnostic and therapeutic concepts and current controversial issues in the management of primary and secondary brain tumors. In the first part, the latest technical developments in neuro-oncology are presented. These include the evaluation of positron-emission tomography for diagnosis, and neuronavigation and operative mapping for operation planning. Innovations in computer-assisted 3-D radiotherapy planning and in image fusioning of CT, MRT, SPECT and PET are also described. A large section of the book is devoted to the diagnosis and interdisciplinary treatment of glioblastoma, one of the most frequently occurring brain tumors. In-depth coverage is given to pathological differential diagnosis, operative standards and the results of radiotherapy. A detailed presentation of the current chemotherapeutic strategies as well as their evaluation within an interdisciplinary therapy concept is also provided. A special chapter focuses on the role of radiotherapy and neurosurgery in the treatment of craniopharyngioma. The final section features discussions on the therapeutic options for brain metastases. Individual indications for both whole-brain irradiation and radiosurgery are given and compared with neurosurgical intervention. New experimental chemotherapies are considered, and finally, the palliative use of chemotherapy is examined. In summary, this book provides an excellent survey of the state of the art in neuro-oncology. It is therefore recommended reading for all clinical neuropathologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons and radiation oncologists.