The literature on the late effects of cancer treatment is widely scattered in different journals since all major organ systems are affected and management is based on a variety of medical and surgical treatments. The aim of ALERT - Adverse Late Effects of Cancer Treatment is to offer a coherent multidisciplinary approach to the care of cancer survivors. The central paradigm is that cytotoxic multimodal therapy results in a perpetual cascade of events that affects each major organ system differently and is expressed continually over time. Essentially, radiation and chemotherapy are intense biologic modifiers that allow for cancer cure and cancer survivorship but accelerate senescence of normal tissues and increase the incidence of age-related diseases and second malignant tumors. Volume 1 of this two-volume work focuses on the general concepts and principles relevant to late effects and on the dynamic interplay of molecular, cytologic and histopathologic events that lead to altered physiologic and metabolic functions and their clinical manifestations. Chapters are also included on legal issues, economic aspects, nursing, psychological issues and quality of life.

BioContinuum of Effects of Multimodal Therapy.- BioMolecular Mechanisms and Pathways of Normal Tissue Damage.- BioPathology of Radiation and Chemotherapy.- BioImaging of the Longitudinal Normal Tissue Injury.- BioScoring Systems for Acute and Late Effects.- BioPediatric Complexities of Growth and Development.- Bioepidemiology.- BioGenetic and Host Implications.- Radiotherapy-Induced Biocarcinogenesis and Leukemogenesis.- BioManagement and BioPrevention.-BioSurveillance and Longitudinal Lifelong Guidelines.- Specific Precept: Medical Legal Issues: Malpractice Issues.- Insurance, Economics: Cost of Care.- Nursing.- Psychologic Issues.- Social Worker Issues: Quality of Life and Activities of Daily Living.