Imaging in Oncology

In recent years the central role of imaging in the management of patients with cancer has become blantantly apparent. The second edition of this widely acclaimed book builds on the foundations laid down by the first edition, the 1998 winner of the Royal Society's award for the Multi-author Textbook of the Year. The core of Imaging in Oncology, Second Edition deals with the application of imaging in all tumours with an extensively referenced, evidence-based analysis of its role in planning treatment. Contributors provide experienced opinion as to the advantages and limitations of all relevant imaging modalities including ultrasound, CT, MRI, PET/CT and other nuclear medicine techniques. Imaging of metastatic disease is covered in detail with chapters detailing the range of appearances of deposits in each organ. Much attention is given to the differential diagnosis of focal organ pathology in patients with underlying malignancy and useful protocols for the performance of the study provided. While including a section on new horizons in cancer imaging, such as the imaging of angiogenesis, MR lymphography and the rapidly evolving field of molecular imaging, Husband and Reznek have not neglected the more traditional general principles of cancer behaviour and imaging. Hence, an outline of cancer surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy is provided by experts. As therapy becomes more successful, increasingly important issues for the radiologist such as the assessment of response, the effect of treatment on normal tissues, the complications of treatment, and the risk of second malignancies are presented. There are several outstanding features to Imaging in Oncology: the colour diagrams of the staging systems are exquisite and allow the often complex systems to be understood easily and memorized; the organization of the book into different, clearly defined sections allows it to be used not only as a reliable reference text, but also to be read easily; key points and summaries in point form are provided throughout for quick revision. This comprehensive reference text is not only essential reading for all radiologists, but is also important for all members of a multidisciplinary team looking after cancer patients. Suzanne L Aquino, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA Peter Armstrong, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK Syed Babar, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK