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Lung Cancer
Mayo Clin Proc, May 1985, Vol 60
Lung Cancer (Recent Results in Cancer Research, Vol 92), edited by William Duncan, 132 pp, with illus, $36.50, New York, Springer-Verlag, 1984 This book is the result of a multidisciplinary symposium on clinical oncology that was organized by the Royal College of Radiologists and held in 1983. The authors of all 11 chapters are from Europe. As in most multiauthored texts, the book has areas of overlap. The text covers pathologic classification, radiologic assessment, diagnosis, and staging of lung cancer but in less depth than most standard oncology reference books. Past therapeutic approaches to small cell lung cancer are reviewed, as are the details of the current therapeutic regimens of combination chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Complete lists of up-to-date references are included. Chapter 4 focuses on the patterns of failure in past treatment programs for small cell lung cancer and the implications of these failures on future approaches. In Chapters 7 through 11, the past therapeutic approaches to non-small cell lung cancer (adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large eel I carcinoma) and the current surgical treatment, radiotherapy, and combination chemotherapy are thoroughly discussed. The major strengths of this review of clinical oncology of the lung are the state-of-the-art overview of treatment of inoperable lung cancer and the current references. This book will be a good reference text for physicians who need in-depth knowledge of therapeutic approaches to small cell and non-small cell carcinoma of the lung (for example, oncologists, residents in oncology, and internists who have a special interest in pulmonary oncology). In my opinion, this book will serve best as a reference source in a main library and is not necessary as part of each clinician's personal library. James R. Jett, M.D. Division of Thoracic Diseases and Internal Medicine
Neoplasms of the Colon, Rectum, and Anus: Mucosal and Epithelial, by John S. Spratt, 459 pp, with illus, $60, Philadelphia, W . B. Saunders Company, 1984 This 459-page book is the distillate of a continuing study of colorectal tumors. Twenty-four clinician-scientists joined with Dr. John S. Spratt in producing a consolidation of the available knowledge about mucosal and epithelial tumors of the lower gastrointestinal tract. The first three chapters should interest all scholars involved in the study of the common colonic neoplasms.
BOOK REVIEWS
361
This section covers the world's knowledge of the causes and genesis of colonic tumors without slavish compliance with the theory of the evolution of polyps into cancer. The clinical procedures for detection and treatment of colorectal tumors develop logically from the observation of origin and growth, if one assumes that the observations in laboratory animals can be applied to neoplasms in humans. The methods for detection of colonic neoplasm are presented, and the reliability of x-ray and endoscopic examinations is emphasized. For postoperative surveillance of patients with colonic cancer, these procedures are essential; in contrast, for large-scale screening of the population, examination of stool specimens for the presence of blood is the most promising. A rational determination of the frequency of such tests is also presented. This portion of the text in itself justifies purchase of the book. Specific chapters present information on the rare epithelial tumors of the anus and colon (except for their diagnostic features). A chapter on the pathologic features of colonic neoplasms corresponds with a chapter on the anatomic and histopathologic characteristics of tumors, a format that should help in the determination of prognosis and management. Although this is not a text on the surgical management of tumors of the large bowel, three chapters address common surgical issues such as the use of staples, preoperative antibiotic preparation, and management of a stoma. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy are thoroughly reviewed in separate chapters, and cross-references are included where appropriate. Short chapters discuss pseudomyxoma peritonei and the importance of evaluation of lesions metastatic to the liver or lungs. This volume describes the scientifically demonstrated knowledge about the origin and growth of carcinoma in the large bowel in some animals and in humans. On the basis of this knowledge, methods for the detection and rational treatment of such cancers and for the surveillance of affected patients are presented and evaluated. The material is documented by an extensive, current bibliography. Even though the book demands concentration because a considerable amount of complex information is compressed into a limited presentation, the effort is worthwhile. I recommend this book to anyone involved in research on colonic neoplasms or treatment of patients with such tumors. Robert J. Spencer, M.D. Department of Surgery
Lung Cancer (Recent Results in Cancer Research, Vol 92), edited by William Duncan, 132 pp, with illus, $36.50, New York, Springer-Verlag, 1984 This book is the result of a multidisciplinary symposium on clinical oncology that was organized by the Royal College of Radiologists and held in 1983. The authors of all 11 chapters are from Europe. As in most multiauthored texts, the book has areas of overlap. The text covers pathologic classification, radiologic assessment, diagnosis, and staging of lung cancer but in less depth than most standard oncology reference books. Past therapeutic approaches to small cell lung cancer are reviewed, as are the details of the current therapeutic regimens of combination chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Complete lists of up-to-date references are included. Chapter 4 focuses on the patterns of failure in past treatment programs for small cell lung cancer and the implications of these failures on future approaches. In Chapters 7 through 11, the past therapeutic approaches to non-small cell lung cancer (adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large eel I carcinoma) and the current surgical treatment, radiotherapy, and combination chemotherapy are thoroughly discussed. The major strengths of this review of clinical oncology of the lung are the state-of-the-art overview of treatment of inoperable lung cancer and the current references. This book will be a good reference text for physicians who need in-depth knowledge of therapeutic approaches to small cell and non-small cell carcinoma of the lung (for example, oncologists, residents in oncology, and internists who have a special interest in pulmonary oncology). In my opinion, this book will serve best as a reference source in a main library and is not necessary as part of each clinician's personal library. James R. Jett, M.D. Division of Thoracic Diseases and Internal Medicine
Neoplasms of the Colon, Rectum, and Anus: Mucosal and Epithelial, by John S. Spratt, 459 pp, with illus, $60, Philadelphia, W . B. Saunders Company, 1984 This 459-page book is the distillate of a continuing study of colorectal tumors. Twenty-four clinician-scientists joined with Dr. John S. Spratt in producing a consolidation of the available knowledge about mucosal and epithelial tumors of the lower gastrointestinal tract. The first three chapters should interest all scholars involved in the study of the common colonic neoplasms.
BOOK REVIEWS
361
This section covers the world's knowledge of the causes and genesis of colonic tumors without slavish compliance with the theory of the evolution of polyps into cancer. The clinical procedures for detection and treatment of colorectal tumors develop logically from the observation of origin and growth, if one assumes that the observations in laboratory animals can be applied to neoplasms in humans. The methods for detection of colonic neoplasm are presented, and the reliability of x-ray and endoscopic examinations is emphasized. For postoperative surveillance of patients with colonic cancer, these procedures are essential; in contrast, for large-scale screening of the population, examination of stool specimens for the presence of blood is the most promising. A rational determination of the frequency of such tests is also presented. This portion of the text in itself justifies purchase of the book. Specific chapters present information on the rare epithelial tumors of the anus and colon (except for their diagnostic features). A chapter on the pathologic features of colonic neoplasms corresponds with a chapter on the anatomic and histopathologic characteristics of tumors, a format that should help in the determination of prognosis and management. Although this is not a text on the surgical management of tumors of the large bowel, three chapters address common surgical issues such as the use of staples, preoperative antibiotic preparation, and management of a stoma. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy are thoroughly reviewed in separate chapters, and cross-references are included where appropriate. Short chapters discuss pseudomyxoma peritonei and the importance of evaluation of lesions metastatic to the liver or lungs. This volume describes the scientifically demonstrated knowledge about the origin and growth of carcinoma in the large bowel in some animals and in humans. On the basis of this knowledge, methods for the detection and rational treatment of such cancers and for the surveillance of affected patients are presented and evaluated. The material is documented by an extensive, current bibliography. Even though the book demands concentration because a considerable amount of complex information is compressed into a limited presentation, the effort is worthwhile. I recommend this book to anyone involved in research on colonic neoplasms or treatment of patients with such tumors. Robert J. Spencer, M.D. Department of Surgery