Oxford American Handbook of Oncology (2nd edition)

Book Preface

Welcome to the second edition of the Oxford American Handbook of Oncology. Based on the successful Oxford Handbook of Oncology, this volume has been updated and revised from the first edition by the multiple authors from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of Washington includes recently introduced diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic strategies emerging since the first edition. As before, the authors have particularly sought to approach each topic from a practical standpoint with pointers to effective diagnostic, staging, and management plans. It will serve as an information source for healthcare providers who come in contact with a broad range of oncology patients, as well as subspecialists who occasionally see cancer patients outside of their primary focus. It is also designed to be a resource for advanced residents and fellows, as well as others who are training or retraining in disciplines related to oncology. The editor and authors hope that this edition may also spark interest in others to pursue further training and focus both clinical and research interest on this fascinating and challenging group of diseases. I would like to thank all of the contributors for their outstanding efforts, and particularly Ms Andrea Parsek and Mrs. Nancy Thomasson, who have greatly assisted all of us in making this final volume one that we can all be proud of. And to our readers: you can thank us most by replying with comments and suggestions that can help us improve future volumes of this series, to make it more useful in your daily care of patients with cancer.

Gary Lyman
Fred Hutchinson Institute for
Cancer Outcomes Research Seattle, WA