Oncology

As well as being an essential attachment in undergraduate medicine programs, oncology has a pervading importance throughout medical education from the undergraduate years and beyond. With the highly acclaimed first edition of this book as a foundation, the second edition presents a clear and compact survey of oncology, which equips students for their oncology attachment, and informs the study of cancer in related disciplines, particularly nursing and radiotherapy. The book also provides the basics for treating cancer patients in the early years as a doctor. Many of those health care professionals involved in the care of patients in the community have given up trying to understand the complexities of oncology management. In part this is due to a lack of familiarity with novel cancer treatments but also due to the centralizing of care at regional tertiary centres. Oncology, An Oxford Core Text provides a gateway to understanding the key issues involved. Online Resource Centre: What are the five commonest cancers, and how might their medical management typically unfold? The On-Line Resource Centre profiles cases of the five major forms of cancer, to increase familiarity with the presentations most likely to seen during attachments. The case studies are interactive, and reflect diagnostic, therapeutic and management pathways. Coverage includes a variety of patient histories, examinations, investigations, features, staging, interventions (surgical, non-surgical and adjuvant), prognosis and outcomes. Multiple choice questions are also available for each category, offering invaluable feedback on the submission of responses. Together, the interactive cases and multiple choice questions consolidate the learning opportunities in the book, allowing students to test and refresh their knowledge.

For the last four years my oncology learning has been a muddle of pathology, genetics and a whole host of organ specific textbooks, however, this publication brings all those things together to give a coherent and fully encompassing guide, with references for further information for those undertaking student modules in a cancer related specialties. An extremely worthwhile investment for those considering a career in surgery, oncology or radiology, and a good all round text for medical students. (Leigh Bissett, Medical Student, University of East Anglia and Editor, Insiders Guide to UK Medical Schools)