Sulen Sarioglu (editor) - Biomarkers in Carcinoma of Unknown Primary

This Springer imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Switzerland AG

The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland

The latest developments in molecular pathology changed the pathologists daily practice for the better. The epicenter of research shifted from morphology to molecular pathology and biomarkers evaluated by molecular pathology methods; however, undoubtedly morphology is still extremely valuable both for diagnosis and research. A multidisciplinary Molecular Pathology PhD program has been started for medical doctors who are specialists in pathology, in Dokuz Eylul University since 2018. Dedicated teamwork in molecular pathology allowed us to experience a highly stimulating scientific atmosphere. We hope to see the increase of molecular pathology PhD programs worldwide.

Primary unknown carcinomas are among the most frequently encountered challenging problems both for pathologists and clinicians. Growth of choices of biomarkers allowed better identification of tumor type, the primary tumor site as well as prediction of prognosis and response to treatment in carcinomas. However, the huge number of biomarkers, their sensitivity, specificity, and their rational algorithmic applications are complicated and much information is being accumulated in the literature.

In this book, we aimed to provide an informative guide of biomarkers in carcinomas both primary and metastatic in addition to primary unknown carcinomas with a diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive perspective in the view of our experience and pertinent literature. The authors of the book include our PhD program team, both the academics and students, clinicians from our tumor boards, and internationally very distinguished pathologists supporting our effort, Alena Sklov, Aysegul Sahin, Ozgur Mete, Rodolfo Montironi, and Wenxin Zheng. We want to thank all the authors for their contributions and their patience for our sensitivity to punctuality and subtlety. We want to thank the publishing group of Springer Nature for their support of our book. Finally, we want to thank our families for their encouragement and perseverance, without their help we could never finish this project.

We hope this book will provide some guidance for the pathologists and medical doctors fighting against cancer resulting in the benefit of the survival of the patients.

The algorithmic approach with the expanding repertoire of molecular pathology biomarkers allows proper identification of the primary origin in many cases of the sixth most frequent tumor type, primary unknown carcinoma. This book presents information about the properties of biomarkers and their applications in histopathological diagnosis in particular as well as their impact on primary unknown carcinoma. Diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers in carcinomas of each organ system are presented, including metastatic carcinomas. The differential diagnosis of primary unknown carcinomas encountered in frequent and rare metastatic sites is discussed. Clinical diagnostic and therapeutic methods concerning primary unknown carcinomas are also included.

The book is a valuable resource about the molecular pathology biomarkers depending upon the pertinent literature both in primary and metastatic as well as primary unknown carcinomas. Each chapter includes representative images, tables, and schemas, multiple-choice questions, highlighting important information about each topic. Both practical applications and the latest scientific insights are included proportionately in order to help clinicians and patients fighting against one of the most deadly diseases.