This volume focuses on novel developments in our basic understanding of the anatomy, molecular biology and cell biology of the normal human pancreas and the mechanisms underlying changes in chronic pancreatitis. It also explores new data from epidemiological studies regarding risk factors, the natural history and outcome of patients with disease, and mechanisms underlying pain and malabsorption derived from animal studies. Finally, it discusses how these novel data are leading to improved medical (including application of gene transfer technology) and surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis.
