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K. Conrad, M. Bachmann, W. Lehmann, U. Sack (Eds.) Methods, Possibilities and Perspectives of Pre-symptomatic Tumor Diagnostics |
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There is no doubt
that the early diagnosis of tumors is the most effective way to reduce
the mortality caused by neoplastic diseases. Pre-symptomatic tumor
diagnostics may be considered as secondary prevention by effective
screening to identify cancer at a localized and curable stage. In this
book methods, possibilities and perspectives of pre-symptomatic tumor
diagnostics will be discussed. Because of the heterogeneity of tumors in
genes and protein expression as well as in the biological behaviour one
approach alone is insufficient for a highly specific, sensitive and
cost-effective screening. In four chapters the requirements for an
effective screening, the value of conventional "screening"
methods (tumor markers, anatomical imaging modalities), and the search
for novel biomarkers (tumor associated genes, antigens and
autoantibodies) in terms of non-imaging screening as well as novel
developments in imaging technologies and endoscopical approaches will be
described.
Pre-symptomatic
tumor diagnostics is a complex field that needs interdisciplinary
research. The societies Gesellschaft für Immundiagnostik e.V.
(www.gfid.de) and Präsymptomatische Tumordiagnostik e.V.
(www.tumornetzwerk.de) co-operate to provide a communication platform -
"Innovation Forum Pre-symptomatic Tumor Diagnostics" - that
supports complex research projects between clinicians, researchers, and
industry to develop and validate new diagnostic technologies and
products. This national platform will be turned into an international
institution in the future.
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