This book reviews the molecular aspects that characterize the spectrum of neoplastic conditions that affect the gastrointestinal tract, providing the reader with up to date knowledge. It features practical applications, tables, and diagrams.

Molecular Pathology of Neoplastic Gastrointestinal Diseases reviews the molecular aspects that characterize the spectrum of neoplastic conditions that affect the gastrointestinal tract, providing the reader with current up-to-date knowledge. For each disease entity chapters provide reviews on:

• the molecular basis of the individual disease
• molecular testing approaches currently available or in development for diagnosis or for gene target characterization for selective targeted therapies
• recommended guidelines for clinical application of molecular tests are included whenever available
• molecular testing for hereditary predisposition or disease risk
• animal models and cell culture models of disease

Inhalt

Section 1. Introduction.- 1. Mechanisms of Gastrointestinal Carcinogenesis.- Section 2. Epithelial Neoplastic Disease.- 2. Targeted Therapies and Molecular Diagnostics of Gastrointestinal Cancers.- 3. Molecular Pathology of Barrett's Metaplasia and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma.- 4. Molecular Pathology of Squamous Carcinomas of the Esophagus.- 5. Molecular Mechanisms and Pathology of Gastric Carcinogenesis: Sporadic Cancers.- 6. Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer and Other Gastric Cancers Associated with Hereditary Predisposition Syndromes.- 7. Cancer Predisposition Syndromes of the Gastrointestinal Tract.- 8. Molecular Pathology of Colon and Small Bowel Cancers: Sporadic Types.- 9. Cancers of the Rectum and Anal Canal.- 10. Molecular Pathology of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Associated Neoplasia.- Section 3. Non-Epithelial Neoplastic Tumors.- 11. Molecular Biology and Pathology of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors.- 12. Neuroendocrine Tumors .- Section 4. Metastatic Disease and Tumor Markers.- 13. Molecular Mechanisms of Tumor Metastases.- 14. Circulating Tumor Cells and Nucleic Acids for Tumor Diagnosis.- 15. Serological Markers of Digestive Tract Cancers.