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Introduction

  • Chapter
Prognostic Factors in Cancer

Abstract

Attention to innovations in cancer treatment has tended to eclipse the importance of prognostic assessment. However, the recognition that prognostic factors often have a greater impact on outcome than available therapies and the proliferation of biochemical, molecular, and genetic markers have resulted in renewed interest in this field. The outcome in patients with cancer is determined by a combination of numerous factors. Presently, the most widely recognized are the extent of disease, histologic type of tumor, and treatment. It has been known for some time that additional factors also influence outcome. These include histologic grade, lymphatic or vascular invasion, mitotic index, performance status, symptoms, and most recently genetic and biochemical markers. It is the aim of this volume to compile those prognostic factors that have emerged as important determinants of outcome for tumors at various sites. This compilation represents the first phase of a more extensive process to integrate all prognostic factors in cancer to further enhance the prediction of outcome following treatment. Certain issues surrounding the assessment and reporting of prognostic factors are also considered.

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Authors
  1. M. K. Gospodarowicz
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  2. P. Hermanek
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  3. D. E. Henson
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Chirurgische Universitätsklinik Erlangen, Krankenhausstr. 12, 91054, Erlangen, Germany

    P. Hermanek (Vorstand der Abteilung für Klinische Pathologie i. R.) (Vorstand der Abteilung für Klinische Pathologie i. R.)

  2. Princess Margaret Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, 500 Sherbourne Street, Toronto, Ontario, M4X 1K9, Canada

    Mary K. Gospodarowicz

  3. Early Detection Branch, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Cancer Institute, EPN Building, Room 305 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA

    D. E. Henson

  4. University of Medicine and Dentistry, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA

    R. V. P. Hutter (Clinical Professor of Pathology) (Clinical Professor of Pathology)

  5. Department of Pathology, Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Old Short Hills Road, Livingston, NJ, 07039, USA

    R. V. P. Hutter (Clinical Professor of Pathology) (Clinical Professor of Pathology)

  6. Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA

    L. H. Sobin (Professor of Pathology) (Professor of Pathology)

  7. Division of Gastrointestinal Pathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, DC, 20306, USA

    L. H. Sobin (Professor of Pathology) (Professor of Pathology)

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© 1995 International Union Against Cancer, Geneva

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Gospodarowicz, M.K., Hermanek, P., Henson, D.E. (1995). Introduction. In: Hermanek, P., Gospodarowicz, M.K., Henson, D.E., Hutter, R.V.P., Sobin, L.H. (eds) Prognostic Factors in Cancer. UICC International Union Against Cancer / Union Internationale Contre le Cancer. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-79395-0_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-79395-0_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-58688-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-79395-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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