The Origin of Cancer -- The Pathology of Thyroid Cancer -- Thyroid Lymphomas -- Molecular Events in Follicular Thyroid Tumors -- Molecular Epidemiology of Thyroid Cancer -- Growth Factors and their Receptors in the Genesis and Treatment of Thyroid Cancer -- Biology of Ras in Thyroid Cells -- P53 and other Cell Cycle Regulators -- Abnormalities of Nuclear Receptors in Thyroid Cancer -- Matrix Metalloproteinases in Thyroid Cancer -- The Molecular Pathways Induced by Radiation and Leading to Thyroid Carcinogenesis -- TRK Oncogenes in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma -- Thyroidal Iodide Transport and Thyroid Cancer -- Molecular Signaling in Thyroid Cancer -- Gene Expression in Thyroid Tumors -- Animal Models of Thyroid Carcinogenesis -- Diagnostic Molecular Markers in Thyroid Cancer -- Thyroid Cancer Imaging -- Past, Presence and Future of Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) Superactive Analogs -- Pathobiology of Antineoplastic Therapy in Undifferentiated Thyroid Cancer -- Gene Therapy for Thyroid Cancer -- Familial Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma -- Ret Activation in Medullary Carcinomas -- From Genes to Decisions.Thyroid cancer shows the fastest rate of increase in women in the USA. There is an urgent need to better understand its underlying causes, explore efficient and sensitive methods for its diagnosis, new methods of treatment and follow-up, based on the recent advances in technology. Molecular Basis of thyroid Cancer brings together top-flight experts from across the globe to consider present state of the art treatment and techniques and what the future holds. The product of this effort is invaluable to endocrinologists, particularly those with an interest in the thyroid, molecular oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians and those in biotechnology intent on devising innovative therapies for cancer. "Significant advances in our understanding of thyroid cancer have occurred over the previous decade. This text discusses the molecular alterations and pathologic manifestations seen in this disease. Distinguished investigators address both the basic biology and clinical issues pertinent to our understanding and management of patients with thyroid cancer." Steven T. Rosen, M.D. Series Editor.