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Neoplastic Diseases of the Blood
Grading Key
***** =outstanding; **** =excellent; *** =good; ** =fair; * =poor.
Book Reviews Neoplastic Diseases of the Blood, 3rd ed, edited by Peter H. Wiernik, George P. Canellos, Janice P. Dutcher, and Robert A. Kyle, 1,240 pp, with illus, $229.95, New York, Churchill Livingstone (telephone: 800-553-5426), 1996, ISBN 0-44307600-6 Type ofBook: A multiauthored comprehensive textbook on hematologic malignant diseases. Scope of Book: This book provides an in-depth discussion of the causes, epidemiologic and pathophysiologic features, diagnosis, primary treatment, and supportive therapy for hematologic malignant diseases. Contents: The book has five main sections: chronic leukemias and related disorders, acute leukemia, myeloma and related disorders, lymphoma, and supportive care. Within each of the disease-based sections, the historical perspective; pathologic, biologic, and pathophysiologic aspects; diagnosis; and treatment are discussed. Current knowledge of molecular genetics characteristic of each disease is comprehensively yet concisely and clearly outlined, with emphasis on current as well as future prognostic and therapeutic implications. Therefore, the text can be an excellent resource for both researchers and clinicians to derive correlative disease-based knowledge. The section on supportive therapies, which are common to all hematologic malignant diseases, similarly progresses from a historical perspective to future strategies (that is, alternative sources of hematopoietic stem cells) and highlights the major advances that have facilitated successful treatment of hematologic malignant diseases. Strengths: This third edition is an excellent update of the second edition and fulfills a critical need in light of the rapid pace of progress in both basic science and therapies. Deficiencies: I found no obvious deficiencies. Recommended Readership: The book is a must for all hematologists, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists, as well as basic researchers with related interests. Overall Grading:
*****
Kenneth C. Anderson, M.D., Division of Hematologic Malignancies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
Roenigk & Roenigk's Dermatologic Surgery: Principles and Practice, 2nd ed, edited by Randall K. Roenigk and Henry H. Roenigk, Jr., 1,385 pp, with illus, $175, New York, Marcel Dekker (telephone: 800-228-1160),1996, ISBN 0-8247-9503-2 Type of Book: A multiauthored comprehensive textbook on dermatologic surgery. Scope of Book: The editors' emphasis is to give readers complete exposure to the breadth and diversity of modalities and techniques needed by surgeons to treat cutaneous disease. Contents: The writing of textbooks during the 1990s is a formidable task. In an era of virtual reality, instant cyberspace communication, and computers "in every lap," pundits confidently promise Mayo CUn Proc 1996; 71:822-824
an end to the printed word. While reading this second edition of Dermatologic Surgery, I was reminded that the Internet has not produced the singular pleasure of holding a new well-written book. Yet, with the quickly escalating cost of books, even dedicated bibliophiles must navigate among many multiple textbook choices in cutaneous surgery to find real value. During the past 15 years, dermatologic surgery has been a dynamic "growth area." This specialty has been at the forefront of innovation in cutaneous surgery and education. A new or revised textbook in this field should, at a minimum, provide the following: (I) summaries of the field by experts, (2) distillation of data to include only the best and most pertinent, (3) breadth of vision, and (4) an honest appraisal of problems and areas of ignorance. The editors have accomplished this goal. Overall, this updated text is a balanced and thoughtful work on dermatologic surgery. Strengths: The chapters that discuss laser surgery, sclerotherapy, and liposuction are particularly good. The chapter on surgical outcomes combines data unavailable elsewhere in such a concise format. At the risk of promoting an anachronism, I believe that this engaging textbook has a distinct place in the education of medical students, residents in dermatology, and practitioners. Perhaps the most telling observation is that my review copy has been "borrowed" frequently by house staff, and the pages have already lost their "new" quality. Deficiencies: All textbooks on surgery struggle with representation of technical skills. This text has liberal black-and-white photographs, numerous line drawings, and a small (10 in by 7 in) format. Still, readers will want more. Perhaps our infatuation with realtime experience has stunted our imaginations while reading. With the best of illustrations, a textbook alone cannot teach surgery. This and all texts must be used to supplement and enrich the interpersonal education process. Recommended Readership: Medical students, house staff, and any practitioner interested in the surgical treatment of skin disease. Overall Grading:
****
David Clark, M.D., Division of Dermatology, University of Missouri Health Science Center, Columbia, Missouri
Differential Diagnosis in Pathology: Liver Disorders (Differential Diagnosis in Pathology series), by Swan N. Thung and Michael A. Gerber, 180 pp, with illus, $79.50, New York, Igaku-Shoin Medical Publishers (telephone: 800-765-0800), 1995, ISBN 089640-268-1 Type of Book: This monograph uses an atlas style presentation; each brief chapter (2 to 3 pages) compares and contrasts a differential diagnostic pair of liver diseases. Scope ofBook: Almost 100 distinct entities are discussed (several in multiple chapters), illustrating multifaceted differential diagnoses. The entities include entries from the following categories: acute liver disorders, chronic liver diseases, transplantation pathology, tumefactive and neoplastic disorders, and pediatric liver diseases. 822
© 1996 Mayo Foundation/or Medical Education and Research
For personal use. Mass reproduce only with permission from Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
***** =outstanding; **** =excellent; *** =good; ** =fair; * =poor.
Book Reviews Neoplastic Diseases of the Blood, 3rd ed, edited by Peter H. Wiernik, George P. Canellos, Janice P. Dutcher, and Robert A. Kyle, 1,240 pp, with illus, $229.95, New York, Churchill Livingstone (telephone: 800-553-5426), 1996, ISBN 0-44307600-6 Type ofBook: A multiauthored comprehensive textbook on hematologic malignant diseases. Scope of Book: This book provides an in-depth discussion of the causes, epidemiologic and pathophysiologic features, diagnosis, primary treatment, and supportive therapy for hematologic malignant diseases. Contents: The book has five main sections: chronic leukemias and related disorders, acute leukemia, myeloma and related disorders, lymphoma, and supportive care. Within each of the disease-based sections, the historical perspective; pathologic, biologic, and pathophysiologic aspects; diagnosis; and treatment are discussed. Current knowledge of molecular genetics characteristic of each disease is comprehensively yet concisely and clearly outlined, with emphasis on current as well as future prognostic and therapeutic implications. Therefore, the text can be an excellent resource for both researchers and clinicians to derive correlative disease-based knowledge. The section on supportive therapies, which are common to all hematologic malignant diseases, similarly progresses from a historical perspective to future strategies (that is, alternative sources of hematopoietic stem cells) and highlights the major advances that have facilitated successful treatment of hematologic malignant diseases. Strengths: This third edition is an excellent update of the second edition and fulfills a critical need in light of the rapid pace of progress in both basic science and therapies. Deficiencies: I found no obvious deficiencies. Recommended Readership: The book is a must for all hematologists, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists, as well as basic researchers with related interests. Overall Grading:
*****
Kenneth C. Anderson, M.D., Division of Hematologic Malignancies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
Roenigk & Roenigk's Dermatologic Surgery: Principles and Practice, 2nd ed, edited by Randall K. Roenigk and Henry H. Roenigk, Jr., 1,385 pp, with illus, $175, New York, Marcel Dekker (telephone: 800-228-1160),1996, ISBN 0-8247-9503-2 Type of Book: A multiauthored comprehensive textbook on dermatologic surgery. Scope of Book: The editors' emphasis is to give readers complete exposure to the breadth and diversity of modalities and techniques needed by surgeons to treat cutaneous disease. Contents: The writing of textbooks during the 1990s is a formidable task. In an era of virtual reality, instant cyberspace communication, and computers "in every lap," pundits confidently promise Mayo CUn Proc 1996; 71:822-824
an end to the printed word. While reading this second edition of Dermatologic Surgery, I was reminded that the Internet has not produced the singular pleasure of holding a new well-written book. Yet, with the quickly escalating cost of books, even dedicated bibliophiles must navigate among many multiple textbook choices in cutaneous surgery to find real value. During the past 15 years, dermatologic surgery has been a dynamic "growth area." This specialty has been at the forefront of innovation in cutaneous surgery and education. A new or revised textbook in this field should, at a minimum, provide the following: (I) summaries of the field by experts, (2) distillation of data to include only the best and most pertinent, (3) breadth of vision, and (4) an honest appraisal of problems and areas of ignorance. The editors have accomplished this goal. Overall, this updated text is a balanced and thoughtful work on dermatologic surgery. Strengths: The chapters that discuss laser surgery, sclerotherapy, and liposuction are particularly good. The chapter on surgical outcomes combines data unavailable elsewhere in such a concise format. At the risk of promoting an anachronism, I believe that this engaging textbook has a distinct place in the education of medical students, residents in dermatology, and practitioners. Perhaps the most telling observation is that my review copy has been "borrowed" frequently by house staff, and the pages have already lost their "new" quality. Deficiencies: All textbooks on surgery struggle with representation of technical skills. This text has liberal black-and-white photographs, numerous line drawings, and a small (10 in by 7 in) format. Still, readers will want more. Perhaps our infatuation with realtime experience has stunted our imaginations while reading. With the best of illustrations, a textbook alone cannot teach surgery. This and all texts must be used to supplement and enrich the interpersonal education process. Recommended Readership: Medical students, house staff, and any practitioner interested in the surgical treatment of skin disease. Overall Grading:
****
David Clark, M.D., Division of Dermatology, University of Missouri Health Science Center, Columbia, Missouri
Differential Diagnosis in Pathology: Liver Disorders (Differential Diagnosis in Pathology series), by Swan N. Thung and Michael A. Gerber, 180 pp, with illus, $79.50, New York, Igaku-Shoin Medical Publishers (telephone: 800-765-0800), 1995, ISBN 089640-268-1 Type of Book: This monograph uses an atlas style presentation; each brief chapter (2 to 3 pages) compares and contrasts a differential diagnostic pair of liver diseases. Scope ofBook: Almost 100 distinct entities are discussed (several in multiple chapters), illustrating multifaceted differential diagnoses. The entities include entries from the following categories: acute liver disorders, chronic liver diseases, transplantation pathology, tumefactive and neoplastic disorders, and pediatric liver diseases. 822
© 1996 Mayo Foundation/or Medical Education and Research
For personal use. Mass reproduce only with permission from Mayo Clinic Proceedings.