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American Cancer Society Atlas of Clinical Oncology: Cancer of the Head and Neck
BOOK REVIEWS
325
any physician who treats emergencies of the head and neck. Michael G. Stewart, MD, MPH Houston, TX American Cancer Society Atlas of Clinical Oncology: Cancer of the Head and Neck. Jatin P. Shah (editor). Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, BC Decker, 2001, 484 pages, illustrated (on CD-ROM), $199.00. I appreciate the opportunity to review this contribution to the world’s literature concerning a very important, although not common, problem— head and neck cancer. The book has multiple contributors, all with a sort of common flavor or theme, that is, all had something to do with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, either as faculty, trainees, or former trainees, and several individuals are currently at other institutions. The focus of this book is to provide a valuable resource to aspiring head and neck surgeons and oncologists, as well as other individuals who have interest in the field. I believe that, although the flavor of the book is from the point of view of a categorical cancer hospital, the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the authors of the various chapters have tried to be very broad-minded and broad-based in their conceptual thinking, as well as the reporting of the data. They have covered the aspects of diagnosis and treatment, as well as epidemiologic and outcome analysis in a very comprehensive way with their very extensive and complete bibliographies. The sidewalk appearance of the book is very pleasing. It is of quality material and reads easily. A mild criticism, however, would be in the way it is organized. The core subjects, such as Epidemiology, Radiation Oncology, Pathology and Concepts Concerning the Use of Chemotherapy or Biologic Agents could be better organized or arranged in the
front of the book. For instance, Head and Neck Radiation Oncology is Chapter 21. Perhaps it would be better if it was up between Chapters 3 and 4. The Use of Chemotherapy and Chemoprevention, Chapter 22, could also be up closer to the front of the book. There is some redundancy in the chapters on reconstructive plastic surgery. There is Chapter 18, which is devoted completely to the general principles; however, in skin cancers and in other chapters, there is some attention paid to reconstruction. In addition, the pathology could also be more concentrated so that the reader would not have to go back and forth between the various anatomical sites to find the pathology. The authors of the chapters or the editor were not quite sure how they wanted to handle this, whether each specific chapter, such as oral cavity cancer should include epidemiology, diagnostic imaging, pathology, surgical treatment, radiotherapy treatment, the use of chemotherapy, reconstruction, as well as the use of dental and maxillofacial prosthodontics. Rehabilitation and quality of life assessment, as well as outcome analysis, were included in each chapter. The reader has an opportunity to go to one specific area in the book and really have a comprehensive discussion and review of the material. Chapters dealing with cervical metastasis and unusual tumors, such as neurogenic and vascular tumors, as well as sarcomas, are appropriately dealt with in separate chapters. Each chapter is written by very knowledgeable and experienced authors; the editor is a well-recognized giant in head and neck oncology. My overall take of the book is favorable. I believe it fulfills its goal as described by the editor in the introduction preface and, if I were looking for a general text for head and neck cancer, I would buy this book. Robert M. Byers, MD Houston, TX
325
any physician who treats emergencies of the head and neck. Michael G. Stewart, MD, MPH Houston, TX American Cancer Society Atlas of Clinical Oncology: Cancer of the Head and Neck. Jatin P. Shah (editor). Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, BC Decker, 2001, 484 pages, illustrated (on CD-ROM), $199.00. I appreciate the opportunity to review this contribution to the world’s literature concerning a very important, although not common, problem— head and neck cancer. The book has multiple contributors, all with a sort of common flavor or theme, that is, all had something to do with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, either as faculty, trainees, or former trainees, and several individuals are currently at other institutions. The focus of this book is to provide a valuable resource to aspiring head and neck surgeons and oncologists, as well as other individuals who have interest in the field. I believe that, although the flavor of the book is from the point of view of a categorical cancer hospital, the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the authors of the various chapters have tried to be very broad-minded and broad-based in their conceptual thinking, as well as the reporting of the data. They have covered the aspects of diagnosis and treatment, as well as epidemiologic and outcome analysis in a very comprehensive way with their very extensive and complete bibliographies. The sidewalk appearance of the book is very pleasing. It is of quality material and reads easily. A mild criticism, however, would be in the way it is organized. The core subjects, such as Epidemiology, Radiation Oncology, Pathology and Concepts Concerning the Use of Chemotherapy or Biologic Agents could be better organized or arranged in the
front of the book. For instance, Head and Neck Radiation Oncology is Chapter 21. Perhaps it would be better if it was up between Chapters 3 and 4. The Use of Chemotherapy and Chemoprevention, Chapter 22, could also be up closer to the front of the book. There is some redundancy in the chapters on reconstructive plastic surgery. There is Chapter 18, which is devoted completely to the general principles; however, in skin cancers and in other chapters, there is some attention paid to reconstruction. In addition, the pathology could also be more concentrated so that the reader would not have to go back and forth between the various anatomical sites to find the pathology. The authors of the chapters or the editor were not quite sure how they wanted to handle this, whether each specific chapter, such as oral cavity cancer should include epidemiology, diagnostic imaging, pathology, surgical treatment, radiotherapy treatment, the use of chemotherapy, reconstruction, as well as the use of dental and maxillofacial prosthodontics. Rehabilitation and quality of life assessment, as well as outcome analysis, were included in each chapter. The reader has an opportunity to go to one specific area in the book and really have a comprehensive discussion and review of the material. Chapters dealing with cervical metastasis and unusual tumors, such as neurogenic and vascular tumors, as well as sarcomas, are appropriately dealt with in separate chapters. Each chapter is written by very knowledgeable and experienced authors; the editor is a well-recognized giant in head and neck oncology. My overall take of the book is favorable. I believe it fulfills its goal as described by the editor in the introduction preface and, if I were looking for a general text for head and neck cancer, I would buy this book. Robert M. Byers, MD Houston, TX