Tumors and Tumor-Like Lesions of the Hepatobiliary Tract

The field of liver tumors and tumor-like lesions in adults and children has experienced tremendous advances in recent years. Specifically, the recognition of novel entities, deepened insight into known tumors, and refinement of classifications have necessitated continual updates and reappraisals. In addition, previous understanding of hepatic carcinogenesis and tumor progression has been transformed by the very rapid evolution of knowledge of cell biology,  genomics, signaling pathways, cell interactions, and mechanisms of invasion and spread of hepatic tumor cells. These issues of general pathology must be combined with surgical pathology if a comprehensive view of liver tumor pathology is to be achieved. The goal of this book, which covers all liver tumors and lesions clinically and radiologically mimicking liver tumors, is therefore to provide the reader with a complete description of this complex and rapidly evolving field. All aspects of surgical pathology are addressed, supplemented by detailed presentation of the cell biologic and molecular features of the lesions. In addition, the methods employed  for diagnosis and diagnostic algorithms are discussed. Tumors and Tumor-Like Lesions of the Hepatobiliary Tract will have wide appeal for pathologists and hepatologists and will serve as an invaluable aid to diagnosis.​

   

Professor Zimmermann is an internationally known specialist in hepatobiliary tumor pathology. After his formation as pathologist ( University of Berne ) he worked for several years in basic research with a focus on tumor cell growth regulation, tumor cell locomotion and protein kinase signaling. As acting director of the Institute of Pathology of the University of Berne ( more than 150 persons working in diagnostics, basic research and student teaching ) he implemented the most modern methods of cell biology and genome studies. Prof.Zimmermann analyzed more than 20'000 liver specimens, detected several new tumor entities, and was an author or coauthor of more than 500 publications in this field. He participated as a chapter author in several well-known books, including Blumgart's Surgery of the Liver and Biliary tract ( 2 volumes ; the leading work in the field ), the Oxford Textbook of Oncology ( 2nd ed., Oxford Univ.Press, 2002 ), Felix Lee's Liver Cancer : New Research ( Nova Publishers, 2006 ),Bleyer and Barr's Cancer in Adolescents and Young Adults ( Springer, 2007 ), Rodés's Textbook of Hepatology ( 2 volumes ; Blackwell, 2007 ), the new ( 2010 ) edition of the WHO Classification of Tumours of the Digestive System, Saxena's Practical Hepatic Pathology ( Elsevier, 2011 ),and Pizo and Poplack's Principles and Practice of Pediatric Oncology ( Lipincott, Williams and Wilkins, 2011 ). Recently, he was one of the Editors of the Springer Pediatric Oncology Series Books, Pediatric Liver Tumors ( Springer, 2011 ). Prof.Zimmermann developed the world pathology review center for the multinational SIOPEL liver cancer treatment studies. Together with COG, SIOPEL is the largest Study Group for liver cancer in children, and many hundreds of patients are currently taken care of worldwide.In his function as head of the review and consulting center, Zimmermann developed a new classification of pediatric liver tumors ( the SIOPEL Classification ).