Developments in Obstetrics and Gynecology – serie

Extensive reviews have been published on the mor­ aspects, anatomy, ultrastructure, physiology, bio­ phology, anatomy, and physiology of the mam­ chemistry, endocrinology, pharmacology, and physiopathology of the mammalian ovary. The malian ovary. However, little attention has been given to the gaps between the physiological, endo­ contributors, who prepared their chapters metic­ ulously, are recognized experts in their respective crine and histochemical parameters of the ovary as disciplines and their writings reflect extensive per­ it relates to clinical aspects. There is a wealth of sonal experience and unpublished data of both publications concerning the biology of the ovary: basic and clinical sciences. Without the assistance of the purpose of this volume is to integrate this information with emphasis on modern concepts in good friends and permission to draw extensively microanatomy, physiology, methodology, clinical from investigations, this volume would not have complications, and therapeutic approaches. An been possible. attempt is made to place fundamental research in Thanks are due to G. F. Franchitto, F. Barberini, clear perspectives. P. Stoops. Lori Rust and J. Squiers for their editorial It is hoped that this volume will fulfil a long­ skills and for checking the references to the original standing need and serve as an important source for sources. Thanks are particularly due to 1. K. Smith investigators and clinicians concerned with the of Martinus Nijhoff Publishers BV for his excellent physiopathology of the ovaries for years to come. It cooperation during the production of the book.

Various scientific evaluations taken from these chapters were presented during the international symposium, 'Carcinoma of the Cervix,' which was held from September 4-7, 1980 in Kiawah Island, Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.A. An international selection of research investigators have contributed reviews designed to be informative to medical, graduate and post-graduate students, as well as clinicians, oncologists and investigators working in the area of female carcinoma. An attempt has been made to provide a total coverage of current progress in carcinoma of the cervix. In particular, the following major areas are included: Epidemiology, Histology & Histochemistry, Ultra­ structure, Physiology & Biochemistry, Genetics & Cytogenetics, Immunology, Diagnosis, and Patho­ physiology & Complications. Major changes have occurred in incidence and mortality rates for carcinoma of the cervix in the past decade. Mass screening programs and their ability to detect earlier stage diseases have attributed to a reduction in invasive diseases. Most cervical cancers could be prevented by an extension of cytologic screening programs in high risk areas. Greater resources must be provided to reach high risk areas in order to prevent the occurrence of cervical cancer.

The study of prenatal development provides many clues for understanding the physiology as well as the pathogeny of malformations and many diseases. I became interested in the analysis of human development as a young medical student more than 30 years ago, and I have stayed in this field all my life. In my studies, I always tried to compare the events of different disciplines such as genetics, anatomy, bio­ chemistry and physiology. I learned that the development of a structure is, under normal circumstances, strictly determined and that the development of structures always precedes their proper function. There are no changes in function without changes in structure. The life of every cell is genetically preprogrammed and the program may be modified by complicated interactions with environment. Recent progress in our knowledge is basicly related to technology. However, using all the tools of today's technology, we are still unable to understand the basic normal development. After almost thirty years of work, I am trying to present a subjective review of the development of the human endocrine glands. I am presenting an image emerging from my experience. I personally studied several hundred human embryos using mostly anatomical, histochemical and some biochemical techniques. I found much additional information in the literature.

Extensive reviews have been published on the mor­ aspects, anatomy, ultrastructure, physiology, bio­ phology, anatomy, and physiology of the mam­ chemistry, endocrinology, pharmacology, and physiopathology of the mammalian ovary. The malian ovary. However, little attention has been given to the gaps between the physiological, endo­ contributors, who prepared their chapters metic­ ulously, are recognized experts in their respective crine and histochemical parameters of the ovary as disciplines and their writings reflect extensive per­ it relates to clinical aspects. There is a wealth of sonal experience and unpublished data of both publications concerning the biology of the ovary: basic and clinical sciences. Without the assistance of the purpose of this volume is to integrate this information with emphasis on modern concepts in good friends and permission to draw extensively microanatomy, physiology, methodology, clinical from investigations, this volume would not have complications, and therapeutic approaches. An been possible. attempt is made to place fundamental research in Thanks are due to G. F. Franchitto, F. Barberini, clear perspectives. P. Stoops. Lori Rust and J. Squiers for their editorial It is hoped that this volume will fulfil a long­ skills and for checking the references to the original standing need and serve as an important source for sources. Thanks are particularly due to 1. K. Smith investigators and clinicians concerned with the of Martinus Nijhoff Publishers BV for his excellent physiopathology of the ovaries for years to come. It cooperation during the production of the book.