Handbook of Gynecologic Oncology, edited by Drs. Barakat, Bevers, Gershenson, and Hoskins, is a first-edition clinical handbook formulated primarily for fellows in gynecologic oncology as well as for interested fellows in medical oncology and radiation oncology. The textbook presents concise summaries of the critical issues in the care of gynecologic cancer patients and would also be of interest to residents preparing for their gynecologic oncology rotations, obstetrician/gynecologists, other physicians who care for gynecologic cancer patients, and practicing gynecologic oncologists.
Handbook of Gynecologic Oncology is the result of a collaboration between the faculties of M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center—considered the birthplaces of the gynecologic oncology subspecialty and fellowship training. The editors and the 29 additional authors, many of whom are recognized experts in their field, are exclusively affiliated with these two large cancer centers, and in this text, they pass on pearls of wisdom concerning gynecologic cancer care gleaned over the past 40 years in addition to information from the current literature.
The organizational scheme of the book closely follows the standard curriculum for the gynecologic oncology fellowship. The first chapter presents an overview of statistics in understandable terms using specific examples from the field of gynecologic oncology. The concepts and facts relevant to the interpretation of clinical literature and manuscript preparation are the focus of the chapter, making it a good quick reference for young physicians early in their academic career.
Subsequent chapters present additional gynecologic oncology-related topics, including pharmacology, critical care, perioperative care, nutrition, supportive care, and minor surgical procedures. These chapters remain true to the aim of the text, providing the information needed by busy clinical fellows.
The pharmacology section comprehensively and effectively outlines the management of multiple common clinical problems such as pain management, bone marrow suppression, neutropenic fever, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and fluid and electrolyte management. Utilizing multiple easy-to-read tables, the dosing and potential side effects of the various medications used to treat the gynecologic oncology patient are clearly outlined.
The illustrations in the chapter on procedures are clear and simple, pointing out important anatomic landmarks. One potential area for improvement would be the addition of a chapter that briefly describes and illustrates major surgical procedures such as urinary conduit formation and bowel reanastamosis—interventions that often require a quick review by the trainee before stepping into the operating room.
The chapter on nutrition provides a good overview of broad issues but would have been more helpful to the trainee if a step-by-step algorithm for calculating and ordering total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solutions had been included. The critical care chapter is especially succinct and complete. With tables defining and explaining ventilator modes, types of shock, and other important concepts, this chapter could serve both as a quick clinical reference and concise study guide for the boards.
