The past 20 years have seen a surge of research into colorectal cancer, which is a reflection of the need to improve our methods of treating patients suffering from this increasingly common form of cancer. Greater knowledge of the basic mechanisms involved in colorectal carcinogenesis is an essential prerequisite to improvements in cancer prevention. In this volume the editors have brought together an impressive list of experts to cover the epidemiology, pathophysiology, morphology and basis for new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to early detection and prevention. This broad scientific approach provides the reader with up-to-date review of our current state of knowl edge of colorectal carcinogenesis and indicates how this information can be used to generate more research and create new opportunities for diagnosis and treatment. This is a book of knowledge and ideas, some of them still at the stage of theoretical interest, but others with practical potential for the care of patients. I recommend it to those who have a research interest in colorectal carcinogenesis, as well as to readers who wish to know just how far medical scientists have progressed in their efforts to achieve the ideal of cancer prevention.

Epidemiology

Geographic Epidemiology of Colorectal Cancer: The Role of Dietary Fat
Genetic Predisposition to Colorectal Cancer
Acquired Conditions of Increased Risk of Colorectal Cancer
Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Colorectal Cancer
Biomarkers in the Identification of High-Risk Groups
Dietary Factors in the Pathophysiology of Colorectal Cancer
Dietary Fat and Colorectal Cancer: Experimental Evidence for Tumor Promotion
Cholesterol, Neutral Sterols and Colorectal Cancer
The Role of Bile Acids in Colorectal Carcinogenesis
Dietary Fibers, Fiber-Containing Foods, and Colon Cancer Risk
Colorectal Bacteria in Colorectal Carcinogenesis
Ethanol and Colorectal Carcinogenesis
Pathophysiologic Mechanisms in Colorectal Carcinogenesis
Environmental and Dietary Carcinogens Possibly Related to Colorectal Cancer
Experimental Models of Colorectal Carcinogenesis
Colonic Microsomal Enzymes and Their Role in Colorectal Carcinogenesis
Mucosal Cellular Regeneration in Colorectal Carcinogenesis
The Control of Cell Proliferation in Colonic Epithelium
Arachidonic Acid Metabolism and Colorectal Cancer
Biochemical Changes in Colorectal Carcinogenesis
Inhibitors of Colorectal Carcinogenesis: Experimental and Therapeutic Aspects
Oncogenes in Colorectal Cancer
Morphology of Colorectal Cancer
Histogenesis of Colorectal Carcinoma
Cell Differentiation in Colorectal Carcinoma
Attempts for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches
Immunoassay for Fecal Occult Blood and Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer
Experimental Models to Study New Chemotherapeutic Agents in Colorectal Cancer
Recommendation
Dietary Prevention of Colorectal Cancer.