Preface

Metastasis is the main cause of cancer-related deaths. In simple terms, metastasis is the spread and colonization of neoplastic cells from the place where they originate to another body part. The spread, or dissemination, of metastatic cells can be hematogenous, lymphogenous, or simple seeding into body cavities. The process of metastasis is orchestrated by a complex network of biological events, and our understanding of the processes that regulate metastasis has significantly improved. Consequently, the clinical management of metastatic cancer has also improved. The 13 chapters of this book provide an in-depth analysis of our understanding of the molecular mechanisms, and clinical management of meta-static cancer. In Chapter 1, Schroeder and Hall from the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA, discuss the advantages of molecular imaging of brain metastases with positron emission tomography. Brain metastases are becoming a more frequent occurrence in the clinical setting. The chapter focuses on the usefulness of positron emission tomography to detect brain metastases while imaging for other sites of metastatic disease, discriminate treatment related changes from tumor recurrence, and identify patients for targeted radiotherapy CONTINUE READING.....