MD Anderson Manual of Medical Oncology
http://www.100md.com
《新英格兰医药杂志》
Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information upon it.
— Samuel Johnson, quoted in James Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson
Until about 10 years ago, trainees, young faculty, and referring specialists in the fields of hematology and oncology could consult one or two textbooks and perhaps two or three great journals to keep up with all the principles governing the treatment of malignant blood disorders and solid tumors.
Enter the era of the Internet, online journals, throwaways, real-time data sources, pharmaceutical advertising, and more and larger textbooks. As knowledge of cancer management has improved, so have the methods of gathering information. This abundance of data can be overwhelming for practitioners and physicians in training, particularly in a field like oncology, where information is changing almost monthly. Countless books, journals, and material available online make learning about oncology challenging and distracting. The recently published MD Anderson Manual of Medical Oncology, edited and written by faculty at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas, attempts to address these concerns. The book's self-described aim is to be a "hands-on resource," particularly for the medical oncologist. Most of the chapters are broken down by tumor type and are clearly outlined and well illustrated. Although much of the focus is on disease biology and treatment recommendations, the authors also emphasize palliative care, symptom and pain management, and long-term survival.
In simplicity, however, there is complexity. A manual is defined as a "small handbook" or "a small reference book, especially one giving instructions." As to the first definition, this manual is like Texas, generous in both size and scope. As to the second definition, a useful reference book requires current knowledge. Here lies a weakness, because by the time of this review, recommendations on the use of agents such as trastuzumab in early-stage breast cancer are already dated and in some cases no longer recommended. As for established treatments, such as chemotherapy and hormonal therapy for breast cancer, the text nicely places data in perspective. The chapters on specific tumor types and hematologic cancers include useful information on epidemiology, cause and risk factors, clinical presentations, biology and molecular genetics, and staging and prognosis. The contributors detail landmark studies and discuss therapeutic standards of care for patients with each malignant condition at all stages of disease.
This book is particularly effective in describing current controversies and does not apologize for making recommendations without knowing the final word. Ongoing clinical trials designed to resolve conflicting results and unanswered questions are frequently discussed in these chapters. In an attempt to distinguish this book from other authoritative works, M.D. Anderson has opted to emphasize the importance of the multidisciplinary approach in treating patients with cancer and to show how practitioners at the center integrate care. The most successful chapters present algorithms for treatment recommendations and clearly separate the standard of care from the M.D. Anderson clinical approach. The least successful chapters fail to fully develop the literature before delving into the M.D. Anderson standards of care. As a detailed guide, this book offers practitioners a clear, user-friendly approach to the care of patients with cancer.
Kevin Kalinsky, M.D.
John K. Erban, M.D.
Tufts–New England Medical Center
Boston, MA 02111
jerban@tufts-nemc.org(Edited by Hagop M. Kantar)
— Samuel Johnson, quoted in James Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson
Until about 10 years ago, trainees, young faculty, and referring specialists in the fields of hematology and oncology could consult one or two textbooks and perhaps two or three great journals to keep up with all the principles governing the treatment of malignant blood disorders and solid tumors.
Enter the era of the Internet, online journals, throwaways, real-time data sources, pharmaceutical advertising, and more and larger textbooks. As knowledge of cancer management has improved, so have the methods of gathering information. This abundance of data can be overwhelming for practitioners and physicians in training, particularly in a field like oncology, where information is changing almost monthly. Countless books, journals, and material available online make learning about oncology challenging and distracting. The recently published MD Anderson Manual of Medical Oncology, edited and written by faculty at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas, attempts to address these concerns. The book's self-described aim is to be a "hands-on resource," particularly for the medical oncologist. Most of the chapters are broken down by tumor type and are clearly outlined and well illustrated. Although much of the focus is on disease biology and treatment recommendations, the authors also emphasize palliative care, symptom and pain management, and long-term survival.
In simplicity, however, there is complexity. A manual is defined as a "small handbook" or "a small reference book, especially one giving instructions." As to the first definition, this manual is like Texas, generous in both size and scope. As to the second definition, a useful reference book requires current knowledge. Here lies a weakness, because by the time of this review, recommendations on the use of agents such as trastuzumab in early-stage breast cancer are already dated and in some cases no longer recommended. As for established treatments, such as chemotherapy and hormonal therapy for breast cancer, the text nicely places data in perspective. The chapters on specific tumor types and hematologic cancers include useful information on epidemiology, cause and risk factors, clinical presentations, biology and molecular genetics, and staging and prognosis. The contributors detail landmark studies and discuss therapeutic standards of care for patients with each malignant condition at all stages of disease.
This book is particularly effective in describing current controversies and does not apologize for making recommendations without knowing the final word. Ongoing clinical trials designed to resolve conflicting results and unanswered questions are frequently discussed in these chapters. In an attempt to distinguish this book from other authoritative works, M.D. Anderson has opted to emphasize the importance of the multidisciplinary approach in treating patients with cancer and to show how practitioners at the center integrate care. The most successful chapters present algorithms for treatment recommendations and clearly separate the standard of care from the M.D. Anderson clinical approach. The least successful chapters fail to fully develop the literature before delving into the M.D. Anderson standards of care. As a detailed guide, this book offers practitioners a clear, user-friendly approach to the care of patients with cancer.
Kevin Kalinsky, M.D.
John K. Erban, M.D.
Tufts–New England Medical Center
Boston, MA 02111
jerban@tufts-nemc.org(Edited by Hagop M. Kantar)