Book Review
Urological Oncology
N Engl J Med 2008; 358:2527June 5, 2008
- Article
Urological Oncology
Edited by Vinod H. Nargund, Derek Raghavan, and Howard M. Sandler. 634 pp., illustrated. London, Springer, 2008. $79.95. ISBN: 978-1-84628-387-1The treatment of testicular cancer has been described as one of the true success stories of modern medicine. The contemporary management of this cancer is multidisciplinary — incorporating surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy — and often achieves durable success rates of more than 90% regardless of the stage at presentation. This multidisciplinary approach has been widely adopted and is currently used for the treatment of many other types of cancer. Therefore, it is not surprising that Urological Oncology was edited by a urologic surgeon, a medical oncologist, and a radiation oncologist. They exemplify the kind of multidisciplinary team that manages urologic cancers.
The reader will immediately recognize that this book, with its soft cover and compact design, is not meant to be referred to occasionally, but to be used frequently. What is not immediately evident, however, is how wide-ranging this book is. Billed as a handbook or a quick reference, it is actually a comprehensive textbook that is appropriate for clinicians at all levels of training. The contributors are internationally recognized experts in urologic oncology, and they include not only oncologists but also anesthesiologists, diagnostic radiologists, and experts on health outcomes.
The book's chapters are divided into three parts: “Basic Science,” “Clinical Aspects and Investigations,” and “Systemic Genitourinary Oncology.” The first part deals with the basic principles that underlie the treatment of urologic cancers, and it includes discussion of cellular and molecular pathways and in vitro and in vivo models of different malignant urologic conditions. This section, like the rest of the book, is concise. It will be informative for clinicians who want to understand the scientific foundations of urologic oncology.
The second part of the book differentiates Urological Oncology from most other textbooks in the field. It is an overview of the basic principles of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in urologic tumors, with discussions of the principles of clinical trials, the management of clinical emergencies, and even dietary considerations in genitourinary cancers. It is clear from this section that the book was designed to be both practical and didactic.
The third part of the book, a discussion of the different urologic cancers, is organized around organ systems. All the major urologic cancers are covered, including a section on nonurologic cancers that affect the urinary tract. The content is up to date and succinct, and it describes advances and controversies in the treatment of each type of cancer. Nearly all of the chapters include tables and figures that summarize pertinent studies and their findings, thereby providing an evidence-based guide for the management of urologic cancers.
As a urologic oncologist, I “test-drove” this book for over a month, and I was thoroughly impressed with how practical, comprehensive, and timely it is. I was equally impressed with how appropriate the material is for clinicians at all stages of their careers, regardless of their subspecialties. This book may be a useful reference for anyone who frequently deals with patients with urologic cancer.
William C. Huang, M.D.
New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016
william.huang@nyumc. org
