Colorectal Cancer (Recent Results in Cancer Research Book 83)

Colorectal cancer was the subject of the Third Symposium on Clinical Oncology organized by the Royal College of Radiolo­ gists, London, in February 1981. This publication of collected papers is based on the presentations at that meeting. The purpose of these symposia is to encourage a multidis­ ciplinary approach to our understanding and management of cancer. They bring together not only clinicians of different specialities, but also non-clinical scientists who also have made a significant contribution both to basic knowledge and to applications of direct clinical relevance. It is hoped that sym­ posia of this kind will be a stimulus to increasing collaborative research. Colorectal cancer is now one of the most important causes of cancer deaths. The incidence of the disease varies greatly throughout the world but is particularly common in North America, Canada, and Western Europe. The aetiology of colorectal cancer is reviewed and a clear description is given of the factors associated with its high incidence in affluent Western societies. There is still no evidence of a direct associa­ tion between dietary constituents and colorectal cancer, and so changes in our dietary habits that might help to reduce the incidence of this disease cannot be advised. While research VI Preface in this important field continues, improvements must be sought in techniques of early diagnosis, assessment and management. Front Matter....Pages I-X Recent Trends....Pages 1-10 Aetiology....Pages 11-20 Cell Kinetics....Pages 21-30 Relevance of Colonic Mucosal Inflammation to Aetiology....Pages 31-44 Genetic Factors....Pages 45-58 Pathology and Natural History....Pages 59-66 Biochemical Markers....Pages 67-76 Radiological Assessment....Pages 77-85 Early Diagnosis and Detection....Pages 86-100 Surgery....Pages 101-112 Radiotherapy....Pages 113-125 Chemotherapy....Pages 126-134 Prospects in Management....Pages 135-149 Back Matter....Pages 151-158