Oncogene Activation on Esophageal Cancer

Oesophageal cancer is a particulary virulent gastrointestinal malignancy with poor prognosis. Changing patterns for this cancer have recently been observed in developed countries, and recently a 10% yearly increase in the rate of occurrence for primary adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus in North America was found, which exceeds that of any other malignancy. New techniques in molecular genetics have permitted the study of a number of human solid tumours at both the NDA and RNA levels, contributing significantly to our understanding of the multistep process of tumour development. This book reviews underlying molecular genetic events associated with the development of oesophageal cancer. The book also emphasizes the relationship of these events to other etiologic factors and premalignant conditions (such as Barrett's oesophagus).