Breast Cancer

This second edition of Breast Cancer continues the tradition of the M. D. Anderson Cancer Care Series. The book is oriented towards the needs of clinicians who manage breast cancer at every stage of the disease. Ch- ters are written by experts with a strong knowledge of research findings who also are active in the clinic and understand the practical needs of the patient and her physician. Multidisciplinary care is a popular term today, but such care has been practiced at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center for decades. The physicians who assembled this book are experienced practitioners of multidiscip- nary care. The authors of each chapter carry out their clinical activities at our Nellie B. Connally Breast Center, where they collaborate in providing complete patient care services at a single site. The chapters start, logically, with prevention of breast cancer and p- sonalized risk assessment, including genetics. These topics are followed by chapters on early detection, with emphasis on a variety of sophis- cated imaging techniques and sampling of tissue. The various surgical options, including reconstruction, are thoroughly presented. Before me- cal oncology is introduced there are chapters dealing with the growing use of markers to predict prognosis and to select hormonal or chemoth- apy treatments that are likely to succeed. The book concludes with issues related to survivorship, including re-entering social and job-related acti- ties and dealing with questions related to sexuality and reproduction.

Breast Cancer, Second Edition, is the seventh book in the M. D. Anderson Cancer Care Series. This book, like the others in this series, highlights M. D. Anderson Cancer Center’s multidisciplinary approach and reviews the entire spectrum of patient care, from prevention and screening through diagnosis and treatment through posttreatment follow-up and survivorship issues.

This new edition of Breast Cancer has been extensively revised and updated. It covers newer approaches adopted since the first edition of this book was published in 2001, such as new options for breast cancer prevention, the role of MRI screening for women at high risk for breast cancer development, and integration of trastuzumab (Herceptin) into treatment regimens for early breast cancer. A number of new tables and figures have been added as well.

In 19 comprehensive yet concise chapters, the experts at M. D. Anderson discuss primary prevention of breast cancer, screening for early detection of breast cancer, genetic predisposition to breast cancer and genetic counseling and testing, diagnostic imaging, pathology, surgical options, reconstructive surgery, radiation therapy, prognostic markers, standard and high-dose chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, gynecologic problems in breast cancer patients, posttreatment rehabilitation, menopausal health after breast cancer, and sexuality in breast cancer survivors.

This thorough, practical volume, which includes more than 70 figures and 30 tables, is an essential clinical guide for oncologists, surgeons, internists, family practitioners, and other health care providers involved in the care of patients with breast cancer.