Te rapidly changing concepts in radiation oncology with the development of more precise - strumentation for delivery of radiation therapy and a greater emphasis on hypofractionation technologies require a very intimate knowledge of tumor biology and the infuence of various biologic factors on dose distribution within the tumor in terms of homogeneity as well as prev- tion of any late efects on normal tissue surrounding the tumor itself. Not only are these major factors in clinical practice but also the known factors of inhomogeneity of cancer cells, the impact of microenvironment in terms of radiation efect, and host factors make it mandatory to design therapeutic strategies to improve the outcome and to diminish any potential short-term or lo- term risks from the radiation therapy. Te authors have developed an outstanding text that deals with these strategies and how they would impact on established and emerging new technologies and treatment. Te context of the presentations within a multidisciplinary combined modality therapy program is incredibly - portant. In this volume, various topics are reviewed including tumor genesis, cell proliferation, - giogenesis, the physiologic characteristics of malignant tissues, invasion and adhesion, the route and role pursued in the development of metastasis, and the role of the human immune system in cancer prevention and development.

Tumorigenesis

Tumor Growth and Cell Proliferation
Tumor Angiogenesis
Pathophysiology of Solid Tumors
Adhesion, Invasion, Integrins, and Beyond
The Biology of Cancer Metastasis
Role of the Immune System in Cancer Development and Therapeutic Implications
Tumor Detection by Biological Markers
Tumor Imaging with Special Emphasis on the Role of Positron Emission Tomography in Radiation Treatment Planning
Quantitative Cell Kill of Radio- and Chemotherapy
The Impact of Molecularly Targeted Therapy in Multi-Modality Therapy
Target-Based Interventions to Treat Radiation-Induced Lung Injury
Mechanisms of Treatment Resistance: Molecular and Clinical Examples for Radio- and Chemotherapy
DNA Repair and Cell Cycle Regulation After Ionizing Irradiation
Physiological Mechanisms of Treatment Resistance
Influence of Time Factor and Repopulation on Treatment Resistance
Molecular Tools, Expression Profiling
Strategies of Gene Transfer and Silencing, and Technical Considerations
Tumor Biology's Impact on Clinical Cure Rates
Dose-Escalated High-Precision Radiotherapy: a Method to Overcome Variations in Biology and Radiosensitivity Limiting the Success of Conventional Approaches?
Treatment of the Primary Tumor in Metastatic Cancer: Influence on Outcome.