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Clinical Cancer Genetics: Risk Counseling and Management
Am. J. Hum. Genet. 63:1920–1920, 1998
Book Reviews
Am. J. Hum. Genet. 63:1920, 1998
Clinical Cancer Genetics: Risk Counseling and Management. By Ken Offit. New York: John Wiley and Sons Inc., 1997. Pp. 370. $64.95. Ken Offit’s book, Clinical Cancer Genetics: Risk Counseling and Management, is a well-written reference for physicians and counselors who work with families that are known or are suspected to harbor hereditary cancer syndromes. Chapters 1–3 provide background information about cancer genetics and cancer risk counseling; chapters 4 and 5 describe specific hereditary cancer syndromes; chapter 6 discusses risk assessment methodology; chapter 7 describes techniques of DNA analysis; and chapters 8–10 discuss other aspects of the cancer genetic counseling process, which include testing patients with cancer, reproductive counseling, and the psychological, ethical, and legal ramifications of testing. Some of the topic areas are treated in greater detail than are others, with breast cancer genetics and management (not surprisingly) receiving the most attention. Chapters 4 and 5 are, in my opinion, the most valuable parts of the book. In a very readable style, these two chapters describe many of the cancer syndromes, in terms of the underlying genetic etiology, associated cancer risks, and suggestions (or debates) about monitoring. Each section of the book
1920
is heavily referenced, which allows readers to turn to primary sources for more detailed information about a particular topic. One overall weakness of the book is its confusing organizational structure, which can frustrate attempts to locate desired information quickly . In addition, the interpretation of some of the tables and figures can be a challenge, because of the minimal text accompanying them. Offit does a nice job (primarily in chapter 10) of detailing the complex issues that can arise during the cancer genetic counseling process, although the case presentations scattered throughout the book are fairly simplistic. Overall, this is an excellent reference book for genetic counselors and for other providers, especially those who are new to clinical cancer genetics.
KATHERINE A. SCHNEIDER Division of Cancer Epidemiology Dana Farber Cancer Institute Boston 䉷 1998 by The American Society of Human Genetics. All rights reserved. 0002-9297/98/6306-0044$02.00
Book Reviews
Am. J. Hum. Genet. 63:1920, 1998
Clinical Cancer Genetics: Risk Counseling and Management. By Ken Offit. New York: John Wiley and Sons Inc., 1997. Pp. 370. $64.95. Ken Offit’s book, Clinical Cancer Genetics: Risk Counseling and Management, is a well-written reference for physicians and counselors who work with families that are known or are suspected to harbor hereditary cancer syndromes. Chapters 1–3 provide background information about cancer genetics and cancer risk counseling; chapters 4 and 5 describe specific hereditary cancer syndromes; chapter 6 discusses risk assessment methodology; chapter 7 describes techniques of DNA analysis; and chapters 8–10 discuss other aspects of the cancer genetic counseling process, which include testing patients with cancer, reproductive counseling, and the psychological, ethical, and legal ramifications of testing. Some of the topic areas are treated in greater detail than are others, with breast cancer genetics and management (not surprisingly) receiving the most attention. Chapters 4 and 5 are, in my opinion, the most valuable parts of the book. In a very readable style, these two chapters describe many of the cancer syndromes, in terms of the underlying genetic etiology, associated cancer risks, and suggestions (or debates) about monitoring. Each section of the book
1920
is heavily referenced, which allows readers to turn to primary sources for more detailed information about a particular topic. One overall weakness of the book is its confusing organizational structure, which can frustrate attempts to locate desired information quickly . In addition, the interpretation of some of the tables and figures can be a challenge, because of the minimal text accompanying them. Offit does a nice job (primarily in chapter 10) of detailing the complex issues that can arise during the cancer genetic counseling process, although the case presentations scattered throughout the book are fairly simplistic. Overall, this is an excellent reference book for genetic counselors and for other providers, especially those who are new to clinical cancer genetics.
KATHERINE A. SCHNEIDER Division of Cancer Epidemiology Dana Farber Cancer Institute Boston 䉷 1998 by The American Society of Human Genetics. All rights reserved. 0002-9297/98/6306-0044$02.00