Book Description
Skin cancer is the most frequent malignancy in humans and its incidence is still increasing. This situation calls for major efforts to manage the disease. Preventive measures must include reduced UV exposure and an enhanced common awareness of skin lesions. Advanced surgical techniques allow safe removal with excellent cosmetic results. In many cases alternative treatment modalities such as radiotherapy, cryosurgery and photodynamic therapy are applicable. The development of optimal sun screens and UV-protective clothes, new tools for early diagnosis of malignant lesions including videomicroscopy, improved evaluation of biopsy material and new treatment schemes will contribute to better patient care. New developments in therapy including pegylated interferons, cytokine-inducing molecules, monoclonal antibodies and vaccination approaches using peptides, dendritic cells, viruses or nDNA give hope for well-tolerated and efficient treatments.


Book Info
Univ. of Zurich, Switzerland. Proceedings of the 8th World Congress on Cancers of the Skin, held July 18-21, 2001, in Zurich.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Skin cancer is the most frequent malignancy in humans and its incidence is still increasing. This situation calls for major efforts to manage the disease. Preventive measures must include reduced UV exposure and an enhanced common awareness of skin lesions. Advanced surgical techniques allow safe removal with excellent cosmetic results. In many cases alternative treatment modalities such as radiotherapy, cryosurgery and photodynamic therapy are applicable. The development of optimal sun screens and UV-protective clothes, new tools for early diagnosis of malignant lesions including videomicroscopy, improved evaluation of biopsy material and new treatment schemes will contribute to better patient care. New developments in therapy including pegylated interferons, cytokine-inducing molecules, monoclonal antibodies and vaccination approaches using peptides, dendritic cells, viruses or nDNA give hope for well-tolerated and efficient treatments.

FROM THE CRITICS

Doody Review Services

Reviewer: Patricia Wong, MD (Stanford University Medical Center)Description: The book is a record of the 8th World Congress meeting on recent skin cancer research. Chapters are multiauthored and reflect the current knowledge on skin cancer prevention, epidemiology, ultraviolet protection, and treatment of skin cancers including melanoma. As to be expected, given the high incidence of melanoma in their country, a good deal of the research and data comes from Australia. Purpose: Recent developments in the treatment and prevention of melanoma and cutaneous T cell lymphoma, the role of sentinel node biopsy in melanoma evaluation, and psychological intervention for patients dying from these diseases are discussed in a succint, accurate manner. Audience: Dermatologists, oncologists, and internal medicine practitioners would broaden their knowledge base on skin cancer by reading this book. They would enhance their counseling skills on preventive measures on UV exposure. Several chapters are devoted to UPF clothing and SPF detergents. Features: There is excellent coverage of the cytogenetics of melanoma and on fabric analysis using spectrophotometric measurements to assess UPF and also how different colors and washing the fabrics may alter the UPF. Assessment: This is a worthwhile addition to the books written on skin cancer. It has the most current information known and has a very complete bibliography and the end of all chapters. Considering how the research is progressing rapidly on the molecular level there will continue to be a need for updated publications.

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