The European Academy Of Gynaecological Cancer, EAGC, is a European educational organization for comprehensive training and education in gynaecological oncology. For management and financial reasons, the EAGC has been established and is being managed by the European Academy of Gynaecological Cancer Foundation (EAGCF; officially registered in Budapest, Hungary). Due to this status, the EAGC is a non-private, non-profit, non-governmental and independent corporation without any financial commitment. Any financial resources, funds and assets in the context of EAGC shall be vested in the EAGCF. The EAGCF is a non-private, non-profit, non-governmental and independent foundation.

A comprehensive training program and continuing medical education/professional development (CME/CPD) in gynaecological oncology, which involves benign tumours and malignant diseases of the female genital tract and breasts are the major aims of the Academy.

One of the objectives of the EAGC mission is to launch a book series on educational and training materials in topics related to gynaecological oncology. This volume is the second edition of this series; the first one was devoted to colposcopy (EAGC Course Book on Colposcopy, Budapest 2003).

Chemotherapy is fundamental in managing many of the malignant lesions of the breasts and the female genital tract. Irrespective whether the chemotherapy is delivered by the gynecologic oncologists, which is quite a common practice worldwide, or by medical oncologists, understanding the scope of and the principles behind the cytotoxic drug therapy is a prerequisite of gynecologic oncology practice and training. Performing or at least participating in phase II-IV studies according to the GCP is by no means less important. Albeit debatable, competence in conducting phase I studies appears to be a further requirement. Furthermore, due to the evolutional discovery that cancer is the disease of the genes, molecular targeted therapy opens new horizons, knocking already at the doors of our current practice. Without being familiar with the molecular biology background and the molecular treatment approaches against cancer, adequate treatment is no longer possible.

The intention of the present book is to provide detailed knowledge in terms of principles of drug treatment of cancer and practical guidelines in the field of gynaecologic oncology, including conventional and molecular targeted drug therapy.

We trust that this edition will be useful not only for gynecologists, gynecologic oncologists, but for all who are interested in fighting against malignant diseases with the "drug weapon". We do hope the joint efforts of the 47 authors will contribute to improve health care.

Péter Bosze
Maurie Markman