The intent of this text is to provide in one volume a multiauthored reference source for all surgically treatable neoplasms. It consists of 49 chapters divided into ten parts. Part 1 takes up various aspects of basic oncology, such as carcinogenesis, epidemiology, genetics, tumor biology, and immunology. This section also includes chapters on chemotherapy, radiation biology, and the design of clinical trials. Parts 2, 3, and 4 address head and neck, intrathoracic, and breast tumors, while parts 5, 6, and 7 are directed to intra-abdominal, urologic, and gynecologic malignant neoplasms. Parts 8, 9, and 10 cover melanomas, sarcomas, lymphomas, neurologic tumors, and miscellaneous aspects of cancer care, such as pain control and rehabilitation.
Although this attempt to provide broad coverage of surgical oncology is admirable, it has led to many subjects receiving only cursory discussion. Thus, the chapter on radiation biology is only 20 pages long, with portions of this