Foreword

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It is a very interesting time in thyroid cancer research primarily for two reasons. Thyroid cancer is increasing at a rate more rapid than that of any solid tumor, and many of the genetic mutations or chromosomal translocations that cause papillary, follicular, or medullary thyroid carcinoma have been discovered, thus providing new insights into tumor pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment. In this issue of Current Problems in Surgery, Dr. Douglas Evans and his colleagues at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have written an outstanding monograph addressing the “Recent Advances in Thyroid Cancer.” The monograph is divided into various sections, including epidemiology, molecular mechanisms of oncogenesis, clinical diagnosis, primary treatment, and the place of targeted therapy in patients with advanced disease. Each section is written by an expert in their given field. The monograph provides a perspective of an institution that has made many contributions to our understanding of this highly interesting tumor complex and represents a state-of-the-art work.