Foreword -- Preface.-I General Issues -- Historical overview of familial gastric cancer -- Frequency of familial gastric cancer -- The family cancer database.- II Genetics and Epigenetics -- CDH1 gene, structure and function -- E-cadherin germline mutation -- Molecular mechanisms of hereditary diffuse gastric cancer initiation and progression -- Germline missense mutants in hereditary diffuse gastric cancer -- Alternative mechanisms to germline CDH1 mutations in hereditary diffuse gastric cancer -- Beyond CDH1 mutation-causes of hereditary gastric cancer -- Non-CDH1-associated familial gastric cancer and epigenetics factors.-III Pathology -- Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer and lobular breast carcinoma -- Pathology of hereditary diffuse gastric cancer.-IV Management -- Clinical criteria for familial gastric cancer definition -- Prophylactic total gastrectomy in CDH1 germline mutation carrier -- Gastric cancer in other inherited syndromes -- Clinical management of familial gastric cancer.- Appendix.- Index.

In this book we have taken a comprehensive look at the subject of familial and hereditary gastric tumors. In particular, the aim of this novel editorial work is to propose the correct management of hereditary diffuse gastric cancer patients, focusing in particular on E-cadherin germline mutations, clinical criteria definition, genetic screening and molecular mechanisms, pathology and microscopic features, surgical treatment and clinical approach for asymptomatic mutation carriers. We also describe other inherited predispositions involving gastric carcinoma.