Fundamentals of cancer genomics and proteomics

Abstract

The foundation of modern surgery has long been based on a clear understanding of anatomy and physiology. This structural and functional paradigm has produced tremendous progress in the comprehension and treatment of human disease. The advent of molecular biology and the completion of the Human Genome Project, however, have brought forth a new scientific basis for surgical investigation and practice. In the era of genomic medicine, molecular structures and gene functions are the foundation for the conceptualization of surgical diseases. Because genetic mutation is the basis for the abnormal phenotypic presentation in tumors, surgical oncology is an excellent field in which to translate the discoveries of genomic research into novel therapeutic approaches. The aim of this chapter is to provide a primer for oncologists and surgeons to understand the relevance and applications of genomics and proteomics in surgical oncology. © 2008 Springer New York.