Author: F. Berr
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9780792387794
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 242
Book Description
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC), both increasing in incidence, have become a major topic of basic and clinical research as well as clinical practice in hepatology. Experts in the field update the current concepts on the carcinogenesis of HCC and CC such as genetic alterations in the pathways of cell cylce and apoptosis regulation, the hypothesis of dedifferentiation of hepatocytes to the malignant phenotype vs that of activation of hepatic progenitor cells incapable of maturation (maturation arrest hypothesis). In spite of an increasing number of genetic alterations described in human HCC as well as cell regulatory pathways tested in experimental HCC models, the key hits causing progression of the cell cycle in imbalance with apoptosis, tissue invasive growth and metastatic potential of cell clones still remain elusive. Very powerful genomic and proteomic techniques are promising insights into the carcinogenesis of liver malignancies that will allow more efficient therapeutic strategies. The current concepts on risk profiling, surveillance of risk groups and therapeutic strategies are evidence-based for HCC and less detailed for CC. Surveillance of risk groups improves detection of liver tumours in curable stages. Best strategies for curative treatment of HCC use neoadjuvant antitumour therapies before liver transplantation and a role is emerging for living donor-related liver transplantation. New palliative therapies for HCC are in the experimental stage with biological response modifiers, including angiogenesis inhibitors, and entering phase II clinical trials with the alpha-fetoprotein derived vaccines.
Malignant Liver Tumours: Basic Concepts and Clinical Management
Author: F. Berr
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9780792387794
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 242
Book Description
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC), both increasing in incidence, have become a major topic of basic and clinical research as well as clinical practice in hepatology. Experts in the field update the current concepts on the carcinogenesis of HCC and CC such as genetic alterations in the pathways of cell cylce and apoptosis regulation, the hypothesis of dedifferentiation of hepatocytes to the malignant phenotype vs that of activation of hepatic progenitor cells incapable of maturation (maturation arrest hypothesis). In spite of an increasing number of genetic alterations described in human HCC as well as cell regulatory pathways tested in experimental HCC models, the key hits causing progression of the cell cycle in imbalance with apoptosis, tissue invasive growth and metastatic potential of cell clones still remain elusive. Very powerful genomic and proteomic techniques are promising insights into the carcinogenesis of liver malignancies that will allow more efficient therapeutic strategies. The current concepts on risk profiling, surveillance of risk groups and therapeutic strategies are evidence-based for HCC and less detailed for CC. Surveillance of risk groups improves detection of liver tumours in curable stages. Best strategies for curative treatment of HCC use neoadjuvant antitumour therapies before liver transplantation and a role is emerging for living donor-related liver transplantation. New palliative therapies for HCC are in the experimental stage with biological response modifiers, including angiogenesis inhibitors, and entering phase II clinical trials with the alpha-fetoprotein derived vaccines.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9780792387794
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 242
Book Description
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC), both increasing in incidence, have become a major topic of basic and clinical research as well as clinical practice in hepatology. Experts in the field update the current concepts on the carcinogenesis of HCC and CC such as genetic alterations in the pathways of cell cylce and apoptosis regulation, the hypothesis of dedifferentiation of hepatocytes to the malignant phenotype vs that of activation of hepatic progenitor cells incapable of maturation (maturation arrest hypothesis). In spite of an increasing number of genetic alterations described in human HCC as well as cell regulatory pathways tested in experimental HCC models, the key hits causing progression of the cell cycle in imbalance with apoptosis, tissue invasive growth and metastatic potential of cell clones still remain elusive. Very powerful genomic and proteomic techniques are promising insights into the carcinogenesis of liver malignancies that will allow more efficient therapeutic strategies. The current concepts on risk profiling, surveillance of risk groups and therapeutic strategies are evidence-based for HCC and less detailed for CC. Surveillance of risk groups improves detection of liver tumours in curable stages. Best strategies for curative treatment of HCC use neoadjuvant antitumour therapies before liver transplantation and a role is emerging for living donor-related liver transplantation. New palliative therapies for HCC are in the experimental stage with biological response modifiers, including angiogenesis inhibitors, and entering phase II clinical trials with the alpha-fetoprotein derived vaccines.
Malignant Liver Tumors
Author: Pierre-Alain Clavien
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1444356399
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 1039
Book Description
This comprehensive and critical review of current and established treatment modalities for malignant liver tumors is designed to help you sort through the proliferation of competitive approaches and choose the best treatment options for your patient. Dr. Clavien and his contributors consider all the options – radiological, surgical, pharmaceutical, and emerging/novel therapies – and help you find the best single or combined therapy. Building on the success of the previous edition, this extremely thorough revision: features a new section on Guidelines for Liver Tumors, where you will find specific strategies for treating common liver malignancies; the guidelines were prepared by the Associate Editors and take into account national and international society guidelines reflects actual practice by taking a multidisciplinary approach, with contributions from international experts who have extensive experience with this patient population achieves comprehensive and balanced coverage by having each chapter reviewed by the Editor, Deputy Editor, two Associate Editors, and at least one external reviewer includes 16 new chapters that cover liver anatomy, histologic changes in the liver, epidemiology and natural history of HCC, CCC and colorectal liver metastases, strategies of liver resection, and economic aspects as well as novel therapies facilitates the kind of daily interaction among hepatologists, hepatic surgeons, medical oncologists, radiotherapists, and interventional radiologists that is essential when treating patients with complex liver malignancies In 44 chapters organized into six major sections, the book covers the full range of liver tumors. The perfect blend of evidence and experience, Malignant Liver Tumors: Current and Emerging Therapies, 3rd Edition, illuminates the path to better patient care.
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1444356399
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 1039
Book Description
This comprehensive and critical review of current and established treatment modalities for malignant liver tumors is designed to help you sort through the proliferation of competitive approaches and choose the best treatment options for your patient. Dr. Clavien and his contributors consider all the options – radiological, surgical, pharmaceutical, and emerging/novel therapies – and help you find the best single or combined therapy. Building on the success of the previous edition, this extremely thorough revision: features a new section on Guidelines for Liver Tumors, where you will find specific strategies for treating common liver malignancies; the guidelines were prepared by the Associate Editors and take into account national and international society guidelines reflects actual practice by taking a multidisciplinary approach, with contributions from international experts who have extensive experience with this patient population achieves comprehensive and balanced coverage by having each chapter reviewed by the Editor, Deputy Editor, two Associate Editors, and at least one external reviewer includes 16 new chapters that cover liver anatomy, histologic changes in the liver, epidemiology and natural history of HCC, CCC and colorectal liver metastases, strategies of liver resection, and economic aspects as well as novel therapies facilitates the kind of daily interaction among hepatologists, hepatic surgeons, medical oncologists, radiotherapists, and interventional radiologists that is essential when treating patients with complex liver malignancies In 44 chapters organized into six major sections, the book covers the full range of liver tumors. The perfect blend of evidence and experience, Malignant Liver Tumors: Current and Emerging Therapies, 3rd Edition, illuminates the path to better patient care.
Liver Pathology
Author: Linda D. Ferrell, MD
Publisher: Demos Medical Publishing
ISBN: 1933864931
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 561
Book Description
This unique book provides detailed insight into a wealth of expert experience in liver pathology, with an in-depth review of the expertÌs analysis and diagnostic process supported by high-quality color photomicrographs and discussion of the diagnostic principles involved in evaluating these lesions. The diagnostic problems and cases selected show the wide range of specimens seen in liver pathology and address the difficult issues in diagnosis encountered in these lesions. Chapters and cases are authored by many of the leading experts and educators in liver pathology today. Liver Pathology will be essential reading for every pathologist who evaluates liver pathology specimens. In addition it will be a valuable resource for pathology residents and fellows. All Consultant Pathology Titles Provide: Actual consultation cases and expert analysis Expert analysis provides a detailed discussion of the reasoning behind the diagnosis of each case Comprehensive coverage of challenging diagnoses The cases are richly illustrated with high-quality photomicrographs
Publisher: Demos Medical Publishing
ISBN: 1933864931
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 561
Book Description
This unique book provides detailed insight into a wealth of expert experience in liver pathology, with an in-depth review of the expertÌs analysis and diagnostic process supported by high-quality color photomicrographs and discussion of the diagnostic principles involved in evaluating these lesions. The diagnostic problems and cases selected show the wide range of specimens seen in liver pathology and address the difficult issues in diagnosis encountered in these lesions. Chapters and cases are authored by many of the leading experts and educators in liver pathology today. Liver Pathology will be essential reading for every pathologist who evaluates liver pathology specimens. In addition it will be a valuable resource for pathology residents and fellows. All Consultant Pathology Titles Provide: Actual consultation cases and expert analysis Expert analysis provides a detailed discussion of the reasoning behind the diagnosis of each case Comprehensive coverage of challenging diagnoses The cases are richly illustrated with high-quality photomicrographs
Liver Transplantation
Author: James Neuberger
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119633990
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 592
Book Description
Explore this practical and step-by-step guide to managing liver transplant patients from leading international clinicians in Hepatology The newly revised Second Edition of Liver Transplantation: Clinical Assessment and Management delivers expert clinical guidance on best practices in managing the care of liver transplant patients. Authors are all experts in their field and cover a world-wide perspective. Organized in an accessible, stepwise fashion and packed with text features such as key points, the book covers all critical areas of each stage of the liver transplant journey, from assessment, to management on the list, to long term care. Readers will learn when to refer a patient for liver transplantation, how to assess a potential liver transplant recipient, learn the principles of the procedure and the long term management of the transplant recipient. Liver Transplantation provides the entire hepatology and surgical team the information required for a sound understanding of the entire procedure, from pre- to post-operative care and management. Clinically oriented and management-focused, the book is far more accessible than the liver transplant sections in traditional hepatology textbooks. Readers will also enjoy: A thorough discussion of when to refer a patient for liver transplantation, including general considerations and the use and abuse of prognostic models An exploration of the selection, assessment, and management of patients on the transplant list, including how to manage a patient with chronic liver disease while on the waiting list A treatment of liver transplantation for acute liver failure (ALF), including assessment and management of ALF patients on the transplant waiting list A discussion of care of the liver transplant recipient after the procedure in the short and long term Perfect for gastroenterologists, hepatologists, and surgeons and other health care professionals managing patients with liver disease who are awaiting, undergoing and following liver transplantation, Liver Transplantation: Clinical Assessment and Management will also earn a place in the libraries of medical students, residents, internal medicine physicians, and GI/Hepatology trainees and all health care professionals providing clinical care to people with liver disease, before, during and after transplantation.
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119633990
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 592
Book Description
Explore this practical and step-by-step guide to managing liver transplant patients from leading international clinicians in Hepatology The newly revised Second Edition of Liver Transplantation: Clinical Assessment and Management delivers expert clinical guidance on best practices in managing the care of liver transplant patients. Authors are all experts in their field and cover a world-wide perspective. Organized in an accessible, stepwise fashion and packed with text features such as key points, the book covers all critical areas of each stage of the liver transplant journey, from assessment, to management on the list, to long term care. Readers will learn when to refer a patient for liver transplantation, how to assess a potential liver transplant recipient, learn the principles of the procedure and the long term management of the transplant recipient. Liver Transplantation provides the entire hepatology and surgical team the information required for a sound understanding of the entire procedure, from pre- to post-operative care and management. Clinically oriented and management-focused, the book is far more accessible than the liver transplant sections in traditional hepatology textbooks. Readers will also enjoy: A thorough discussion of when to refer a patient for liver transplantation, including general considerations and the use and abuse of prognostic models An exploration of the selection, assessment, and management of patients on the transplant list, including how to manage a patient with chronic liver disease while on the waiting list A treatment of liver transplantation for acute liver failure (ALF), including assessment and management of ALF patients on the transplant waiting list A discussion of care of the liver transplant recipient after the procedure in the short and long term Perfect for gastroenterologists, hepatologists, and surgeons and other health care professionals managing patients with liver disease who are awaiting, undergoing and following liver transplantation, Liver Transplantation: Clinical Assessment and Management will also earn a place in the libraries of medical students, residents, internal medicine physicians, and GI/Hepatology trainees and all health care professionals providing clinical care to people with liver disease, before, during and after transplantation.
Enhancing the Role of Ultrasound with Contrast Agents
Author: Riccardo Lencioni
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 8847004764
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 252
Book Description
This book provides an up-to-date overview on the clinical value of contrast agents in ultrasound. The volume moves from a background section on technique and methodology to the main sections on the clinical application of contrast ultrasound in the liver and in vascular diseases. A final section discusses results and prospects of contrast ultrasound modality in the other fields.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 8847004764
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 252
Book Description
This book provides an up-to-date overview on the clinical value of contrast agents in ultrasound. The volume moves from a background section on technique and methodology to the main sections on the clinical application of contrast ultrasound in the liver and in vascular diseases. A final section discusses results and prospects of contrast ultrasound modality in the other fields.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Author: Yujin Hoshida
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3030215407
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 366
Book Description
This book provides a comprehensive overview of the current limitations and unmet needs in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. It also provides newly emerging concepts, approaches, and technologies to address challenges. Topics covered include changing landscape of HCC etiologies in association with health disparities, framework of clinical management algorithm, new and experimental modalities of HCC diagnosis and prognostication, multidisciplinary treatment options including rapidly evolving molecular targeted therapies and immune therapies, multi-omics molecular characterization, and clinically relevant experimental models. The book is intended to assist collaboration between the diverse disciplines and facilitate forward and reverse translation between basic and clinical research by providing a comprehensive overview of relevant areas, covering epidemiological trend and population-level patient management strategies, new diagnostic and prognostic tools, recent advances in the standard care and novel therapeutic approaches, and new concepts in pathogenesis and experimental approaches and tools, by experts and opinion leaders in their respective fields. By thoroughly and concisely covering whole aspects of HCC care, Hepatocellular Carcinoma serves as a valuable reference for multidisciplinary readers, and promotes the development of personalized precision care strategies that lead to substantial improvement of disease burden and patient prognosis in HCC.
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3030215407
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 366
Book Description
This book provides a comprehensive overview of the current limitations and unmet needs in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. It also provides newly emerging concepts, approaches, and technologies to address challenges. Topics covered include changing landscape of HCC etiologies in association with health disparities, framework of clinical management algorithm, new and experimental modalities of HCC diagnosis and prognostication, multidisciplinary treatment options including rapidly evolving molecular targeted therapies and immune therapies, multi-omics molecular characterization, and clinically relevant experimental models. The book is intended to assist collaboration between the diverse disciplines and facilitate forward and reverse translation between basic and clinical research by providing a comprehensive overview of relevant areas, covering epidemiological trend and population-level patient management strategies, new diagnostic and prognostic tools, recent advances in the standard care and novel therapeutic approaches, and new concepts in pathogenesis and experimental approaches and tools, by experts and opinion leaders in their respective fields. By thoroughly and concisely covering whole aspects of HCC care, Hepatocellular Carcinoma serves as a valuable reference for multidisciplinary readers, and promotes the development of personalized precision care strategies that lead to substantial improvement of disease burden and patient prognosis in HCC.
Cancer Cell Chemoresistance And Chemosensitization
Author: Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 9813208589
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 682
Book Description
Despite the significant advances in cancer therapy made through constant evaluation and analysis of treatment aftereffects, the disease still remains one of the foremost causes of mortality worldwide killing more than 12 million people annually. The prime reason behind the failure of conventional chemotherapeutics which are used as the chief regimen in the comprehensive treatment of cancers is the development of chemoresistance. It can be either intrinsic or acquired and is primarily mediated via different key regulators like MDR, MAPK, NF-κB, PI3K/Akt, Wnt signaling pathways etc. Thus, agents which can target these regulatory elements or pathways and in turn sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy holds immense prospect. However, there is barely such comprehensive work available in scientific literature that explains how chemosensitization of cancer cells functions using different drug combinations and exhibit synergism. This book provides a detailed description of chemoresistance and chemosensitization, targets for chemosensitization and various approaches adapted in the process of chemosensitization. Furthermore, the book explicates the role of various chemosensitizers, both natural and synthetic in sensitizing cancer cells and also details the current research findings on chemosensitization of different cancer types in both pre-clinical and clinical settings.
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 9813208589
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 682
Book Description
Despite the significant advances in cancer therapy made through constant evaluation and analysis of treatment aftereffects, the disease still remains one of the foremost causes of mortality worldwide killing more than 12 million people annually. The prime reason behind the failure of conventional chemotherapeutics which are used as the chief regimen in the comprehensive treatment of cancers is the development of chemoresistance. It can be either intrinsic or acquired and is primarily mediated via different key regulators like MDR, MAPK, NF-κB, PI3K/Akt, Wnt signaling pathways etc. Thus, agents which can target these regulatory elements or pathways and in turn sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy holds immense prospect. However, there is barely such comprehensive work available in scientific literature that explains how chemosensitization of cancer cells functions using different drug combinations and exhibit synergism. This book provides a detailed description of chemoresistance and chemosensitization, targets for chemosensitization and various approaches adapted in the process of chemosensitization. Furthermore, the book explicates the role of various chemosensitizers, both natural and synthetic in sensitizing cancer cells and also details the current research findings on chemosensitization of different cancer types in both pre-clinical and clinical settings.
Adenocarcinoma of the Prostate
Author: Andrew W. Bruce
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1447113985
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 363
Book Description
Carcinoma of the prostate increasingly dominates the attention of urologists for both scientific and clinical reasons. The search for an explanation and the prediction of the variable behaviour of the malignant prostatic cell continues unabated. The search for more precise tumour staging and more effective treatment is equally vigorous. Editors Andrew Bruce and John Trachtenberg have assembled acknowledged leaders in prostate cancer to present those areas of direct interest to the clinician. There are a number of other topics that might have been considered but most of these, such as experimental tumour models or biochemical factors affecting cell growth, still lack immediate application for the clinician. Carcinoma of the prostate continues to have its highest incidence in the western world, and the difference in comparison with the incidence in the Far East appears to be real and not masked by diagnostic or other factors. A number of other epidemiological aspects need careful analysis: Is the incidence increasing? Is the survival improving? Is the prognosis worse in the younger patient? Epidemiological data are easily misused and misinterpreted so that a precise analysis of the known facts makes an important opening chapter to this book.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1447113985
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 363
Book Description
Carcinoma of the prostate increasingly dominates the attention of urologists for both scientific and clinical reasons. The search for an explanation and the prediction of the variable behaviour of the malignant prostatic cell continues unabated. The search for more precise tumour staging and more effective treatment is equally vigorous. Editors Andrew Bruce and John Trachtenberg have assembled acknowledged leaders in prostate cancer to present those areas of direct interest to the clinician. There are a number of other topics that might have been considered but most of these, such as experimental tumour models or biochemical factors affecting cell growth, still lack immediate application for the clinician. Carcinoma of the prostate continues to have its highest incidence in the western world, and the difference in comparison with the incidence in the Far East appears to be real and not masked by diagnostic or other factors. A number of other epidemiological aspects need careful analysis: Is the incidence increasing? Is the survival improving? Is the prognosis worse in the younger patient? Epidemiological data are easily misused and misinterpreted so that a precise analysis of the known facts makes an important opening chapter to this book.
Pathogenesis and Clinical Practice in Gastroenterology
Author: I. Ferkolj
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1402087675
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 289
Book Description
The translation of new molecular understanding of disease into clinical practice in gastroenterology is a special challenge. The Falk Symposium No. 160, entitled ‘Pathogenesis and Clinical Practice in Gastroenterology’, held 15-16 June 2007 in Portorož, Slovenia, provided a stimulating framework to bridge discussions from bench to bedside. The proceedings of the symposium are contained in this book, and the unifying theme is the growing understanding of inflammation as a driving force in chronic disease leading to disability and malignancy. Aspects of early detection - endoscopically or via molecular markers - are covered as well as in-depth discussions of the validation of new findings in clinical practice. Whilst on a molecular basis gastroenterologists and hepatologists try to shed light on the same intracellular pathways, clinical implications such as surveillance of cancer in IBD or chronic hepatitis with cirrhosis have to be tailored to specific needs. New therapeutic agents - approved or on the horizon of early clinical studies - will dramatically change the options of patients with chronic disease such as Crohn’s disease, viral hepatitis or hepatocellular carcinoma.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1402087675
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 289
Book Description
The translation of new molecular understanding of disease into clinical practice in gastroenterology is a special challenge. The Falk Symposium No. 160, entitled ‘Pathogenesis and Clinical Practice in Gastroenterology’, held 15-16 June 2007 in Portorož, Slovenia, provided a stimulating framework to bridge discussions from bench to bedside. The proceedings of the symposium are contained in this book, and the unifying theme is the growing understanding of inflammation as a driving force in chronic disease leading to disability and malignancy. Aspects of early detection - endoscopically or via molecular markers - are covered as well as in-depth discussions of the validation of new findings in clinical practice. Whilst on a molecular basis gastroenterologists and hepatologists try to shed light on the same intracellular pathways, clinical implications such as surveillance of cancer in IBD or chronic hepatitis with cirrhosis have to be tailored to specific needs. New therapeutic agents - approved or on the horizon of early clinical studies - will dramatically change the options of patients with chronic disease such as Crohn’s disease, viral hepatitis or hepatocellular carcinoma.
Autoimmune Liver Disease
Author: H.-P. Dienes
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9781402028946
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 332
Book Description
Autoimmune processes in the liver can cause severe damage and destruction leading to cirrhosis and liver failure. The clinical spectrum of autoimmune liver disease is very wide, and diagnostic difficulties often stand at the beginning of the patient’s medical career. While in autoimmune hepatitis immunosuppressive therapy has long been shown to be life-saving, therapeutic progress is small in primary biliary cirrhosis and questionable in primary sclerosing cholangitis. New approaches to treatment will be needed in the future, but require better understanding of the pathogenesis of the underlying disease process. This book, the proceedings of Falk Symposium 142 on 'Autoimmune Liver Disease’ held in Freiburg, Germany, on 12–13 October 2004 (Part I of the Gastroenterology Week Freiburg), describes possible mechanisms of pathogenesis, discusses diagnostic criteria and takes up controversies concerning treatment options. In view of the relatively frequent manifestation of autoimmune hepatitis in childhood in particular, paediatric aspects of autoimmune liver disease, and the role of liver transplantation, are given prominence.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9781402028946
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 332
Book Description
Autoimmune processes in the liver can cause severe damage and destruction leading to cirrhosis and liver failure. The clinical spectrum of autoimmune liver disease is very wide, and diagnostic difficulties often stand at the beginning of the patient’s medical career. While in autoimmune hepatitis immunosuppressive therapy has long been shown to be life-saving, therapeutic progress is small in primary biliary cirrhosis and questionable in primary sclerosing cholangitis. New approaches to treatment will be needed in the future, but require better understanding of the pathogenesis of the underlying disease process. This book, the proceedings of Falk Symposium 142 on 'Autoimmune Liver Disease’ held in Freiburg, Germany, on 12–13 October 2004 (Part I of the Gastroenterology Week Freiburg), describes possible mechanisms of pathogenesis, discusses diagnostic criteria and takes up controversies concerning treatment options. In view of the relatively frequent manifestation of autoimmune hepatitis in childhood in particular, paediatric aspects of autoimmune liver disease, and the role of liver transplantation, are given prominence.