Across Culture and Health Systems: Argentina

MIGUEL A. RODRIGUEZ-BIGAS, MD; RAUL CUTAIT, MD; HANS F.A. VASEN, MD; PATRICK M. LYNCH, MD

Hereditary Colorectal Cancer

Springer New York Dordrecht Heidelberg London

Año: 2010; p. 488 - 502

Over the last quarter of a century, significant and explosive advancements havebeen made regarding the study of colorectal cancer. The wealth of informationevolving is far reaching. From the first case report of the loss of the long arm ofchromosome 5 in a patient with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, to the cloningand identification of multiple genes involved in hereditary colorectal cancer, thefield has progressed so we can now offer our patients genetic predisposition testingand better clinical management. Molecular mechanisms and the implications thatsome of these changes have for our patients is better understood. Rather than onlydiscussing therapy these advances now allow us to discuss surgical prophylaxis andchemoprevention. Advances in the knowledge of familial colorectal cancer havenot come easy and are due to the hard work of inquisitive investigators and clinicians,the development of advance instrumentations and molecular genetic techniquesand most importantly from our patients and families. Without them wewould not have been able to achieve this feat. Still, there is more to be done in thefield. There are yet undiscovered syndromes, genes and molecular alterationswhich can and will change the lives of families and individuals. Thus, we cannotrely solely on what has been done, but need to continue to question existingresearch in the future.The lack of a comprehensive reference book on hereditary colorectal cancer hasbeen our driving force. The editors have gathered a multinational panel of expertsto address the issues in Hereditary Colorectal Cancer. This book goes beyond thehistorical aspects of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis and the Lynch Syndrome.It further encompasses the basic and clinical aspects of less common and less understoodsyndromes such as the Hamartomatous Polyposis Syndromes and MutYHAssociated Polyposis. An important section of Hereditary Colorectal Canceris devoted to genetic counseling, an evolving area. In this section, several leadingauthorities describe the issues pertaining to genetic counseling around the worldand within registries. Also addressed are the psychosocial aspects of hereditary colorectalcancer. This book will serve as a clinical reference, however, it will be also auseful guide for basic scientists, genetic counselors, and those interested in hereditarycolorectal cancer.While the book was being edited, one of our contributors and friend passed away.Jeremy Jass was the ultimate translational scientist. He was a pathologist and a basicPrefacevi Prefacescientist whose contributions to the field are too numerous to state. The editorswould like to express their gratitude for his contribution as well as for all his contributionsto the advancement of understanding colorectal cancer. We also would liketo express our most sincere appreciation to the editors at Springer who have beenimmensely helpful and patient with us. Lastly we have to mention our patients andour families whom without their support this project would have not been possible.