Examination Haematology

THIS is one of the best cancer textbooks available today. The 800 pages cover much of the pathology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of malignant disease. The book is a multi-author work and many of the contributions are excellent. Inevitably, however, the presentation is uneven. Moreover, events have overtaken some of the chapters. For instance, the discussion on breast cancer contains scant mention of adjunctive chemotherapy, perhaps the most controversial subject in cancer management today. Against this the chapters on tumor immunology and the remote effects of cancer on the host contain up-to-date and relevant information. Much of this will be of value to candidates taking postgraduate examinations. I was particularly impressed with several chapters by "enlightened" surgeons. For example, the section on skin cancer gives a balanced account of the alternative roles of surgery and rediotherapy in this common disease. This is unusual in an American textbook where the role of surgery is sometimes overemphasised. A special feature of the book is chapter 9, entitled "General Factors in Cancer Management". This gives a useful account of the associated problems of pain, hypercalcaemia and fungation in terminal illness. Surprisingly, most cancer textbooks today do not discuss these problems and their inclusion in this book make it a valuable contribution to medical literature. W.S.L.