Reviewer: Lisa J Schlein, DVM, MBA (University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine)
Description: This concise overview of oncogenesis provides current information on tumors that commonly affect domestic animal species. It is also available as an ebook, should this format appeal to readers.
Purpose: Numerous books focus heavily on cytology and histopathology, but the goal of this book is to take a concise approach to integrating diagnostic and clinical information. It accomplishes this goal, providing references for more detailed information should readers desire it.
Audience: The audience is veterinary students and graduate students with an interest in oncology. The book is appropriate for these readers, as well as for clinical practitioners who wish to review information and identify credible resources for further research. This book provides clinically relevant pathophysiology and diagnostic information for tumors that veterinarians regularly encounter. Additionally, the sections outlining acquisition of samples and tumor imaging are concise and accurate, and would be helpful to students learning these techniques, as well as to practitioners who need to refresh their knowledge of methods that they do not use commonly in practice. The authors include a radiation oncologist and pathology diplomates, who are well qualified to discuss the most current therapeutic information and pathogenesis of various tumors in domestic species.
Features: The introduction to oncogenesis, diagnosis, and the general treatment of cancer is excellent, integrating current literature seamlessly with well-known foundational material, addressing cellular signaling in sufficient detail to pique additional interest. Subsequent chapters go into some detail on common malignancies that affect domestic animals. For each tumor type, the authors list a small number of "facts" that introduce the tumor type and highlight major clinical considerations. The authors then discuss what is known about tumor epidemiology and pathogenesis, the gross clinical appearance of these lesions, features that distinguish the lesions using cytology and histopathology, current recommended therapy and prognosis, and additional resources should the reader need them. Other books, written from a pathologist's perspective, focus more heavily on specific histological or cytological features of tumors, variably addressing what is known about the gross appearance of these lesions, epidemiology, pathophysiology, and therapy. The format of this book provides a concise overview of each of these features for each tumor type, and the pathology information is accessible and easy to understand, with clear cytology and histopathology images.
Assessment: Although this is not an exhaustive review focused on minutiae, it does summarize salient features of commonly encountered tumors in domestic species, and provides consistent background material that will be useful to veterinary students and clinicians alike. The book is enjoyable to read, flows logically and easily, and is organized well.
The audience is veterinary students and graduate students with an interest in oncology. The book is appropriate for these readers, as well as for clinical practitioners who wish to review information and identify credible resources for further research. This book provides clinically relevant pathophysiology and diagnostic information for tumors that veterinarians regularly encounter. … The book is enjoyable to read, flows logically and easily, and is organized well.” (Lisa J. Schlein, Doody's Book Reviews, February, 2017)
