The growth and function of many tissues are influenced by hormones. Therefore it is quite understandable that hormones play a role in the development and treatment of malignant tumors. Numerous publications address this topic; however, the results of many studies are controversial and have not been unequivocally accepted. For nearly 50 years the carcinogenic effect of steroid hormones has been under debate, and their therapeutic value a matter of discussion for equally as long. The present volume concentrates on substantiated data first obtained from the study of tumors developing from hormone­ regulated or hormone-producing tissue, e.g., the thyroid, adrenal glands, prostate, and the female genital tract. Through a joint approach from the field of molecular biology, biochemistry, and histopathology, advances in the management of these tumors have been elaborated. Another exciting example is the endo­ nuclear diagnosis of adrenal tumors. Antihormones, i.e. antian­ drogens or GnRH analogues have proved to be important indeed since they exhibit a destructive effect on prostate carcinomas and breast cancer. Further improvements can be expected in the localization of hormones in tumor tissue by specific antibodies. A special chapter is dedicated to the diffuse endocrine cell system (DECS), the clinical significance of which has mainly become obvious in the gastroenteropancreatic tract.

Inhalt

Biological Basics.- Cellular Receptors of Hormones and Nonhormone Ligands in Normal and Malignant Cells.- Localization of Hormones by Antibodies.- Diffuse Endocrine Cell System.- Morphology and Functional Activity of Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumours.- Clinical Implications of the Diffuse Gastroenteropancreatic Endocrine System.- Thyroid Gland (C-Cell Tumours).- Medullary Carcinoma of the Thyroid.- Growth Regulation of Normal Thyroids and Thyroid Tumors in Man.- Endocrine Aspects of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma.- Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type II.- Adrenal Gland.- Tumours of the Adrenal Gland.- Clinical and Diagnostic Findings in Patients with Chromaffin Tumors: Pheochromocytomas, Pheochromoblastomas.- Adrenocortical Tumors: Clinical and Diagnostic Findings.- Contributions of Nuclear Endocrinology to the Diagnosis of Adrenal Tumors.- Aspects of Surgical Therapy of Adrenal Tumors.- Trends in Endocrine Therapy of Prostate Cancer.- Molecular Biology of the Male Endocrine System.- Development of Hormone Refractory Tumors: Adaption Versus Clonal Selection.- Antiandrogenic Substances in the Management of Prostatic Cancer.- LH-RH Agonist Monotherapy in Patients with Carcinoma of the Prostate and Reflections on the So-called Total Androgen Blockade.- New Developments in Biological Markers in Prostate Cancer.- Aspects of Endocrine-Active and Endocrine-Related Tumors of the Female Genital Tract.- Endocrine and Clinical Aspects of New Compounds for Treatment of Hormone-Related Cancer in Gynecology.- Basic and Clinical Relevance of Hormonal Influence in Breast Cancer.- New Trends in the Endocrine Treatment of Breast Cancer.- Identification of Putative Nonfunctional Steroid Receptors in Breast and Endometrial Cancer.- Hormonal Therapy in Endometrial Carcinoma.- Hormone-Secreting Ovarian Tumors.- Ovarian Hormones and Carcinoma of the Uterine Cervix.