Dynamics Of Cancer: Mathematical Foundations Of Oncology

The book aims to provide an introduction to mathematical models that describe the dynamics of tumor growth and the evolution of tumor cells. It can be used as a textbook for advanced undergraduate or graduate courses and as a research reference book. The book has a vital evolutionary component and reflects the viewpoint that cancer can be understood rationally through a combination of mathematical and biological tools. It can be used both by mathematicians and biologists. Mathematically, the book starts with relatively simple ordinary differential equation models and subsequently explores more complex stochastic and spatial models. Biologically, the book begins with explorations of the fundamental dynamics of tumor growth, including competitive interactions among cells, and subsequently moves on to the evolutionary dynamics of cancer cells, including scenarios of cancer initiation, progression, and treatment. The book finishes with a discussion of advanced topics, which describe how some mathematical concepts can be used to gain insights into various questions, such as epigenetics, telomeres, gene therapy, and social interactions of cancer cells.