The Cancer Dictionary. This item is unavailable.The Cancer Dictionary

Defines cancer symptoms, surgical procedures, drugs, side-effects, risk factors, diagnostic tests, and prevention.

There have been many advances in molecular biology and technology since the first edition of The Cancer Dictionary appeared in 1992. Basic research in these fields has produced new drugs, treatments, and strategies for cancer therapy.

This revision of the dictionary contains more than 2,500 alphabetical entries. The entries cover all aspects of cancer diagnosis and treatment: types of cancer (Hodgkin's disease, Small cell lung cancer), diagnostic tests (Esophagoscopy, Needle aspiration biopsy), drugs (Navelbine, Vincristine), surgical procedures (Total abdominal hysterectomy, Transurethral resection), other treatments (Particle beam therapy, Intraperitoneal radiotherapy), risk factors (Breast cancer genes, Smoking), alternative therapies and unconventional treatments (Imagery, Laetrile), preventive measures (Mammogram, Pap smear), and side effects (Nausea and vomiting, Pruritus). Entries range in length from one sentence to several paragraphs, and some have black-and-white drawings. Cross-references appear as small capitals within the text. Several appendixes contain referral lists of organizations and cancer treatment centers with toll-free telephone numbers, e-mail, and Web addresses if these are available. A bibliography (with many older references) and a subject index complete the work.

The Cancer Dictionary is useful for brief definitions of terms and ready-reference questions, but those in need of more detailed information about specific cancers or treatments should consult other resources, such as Everyone's Guide to Cancer Therapy: How Cancer Is Diagnosed, Treated, and Managed Day to Day (3d ed., Andrews and McMeel, 1998).
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With an additional 34 pages, Altman and Sarg (the former a cancer survivor and writer and the latter associate chief of medical oncology at St. Vincent's Hospital, New York) have not greatly expanded beyond the "over 2500" definitions found in the first edition of The Cancer Dictionary (LJ 10/1/92). In addition to the customary definitions, which also include those relating to AIDS and to noncancerous tumors, various types of radiation therapy, surgical procedures, carcinogens, and chemotherapeutic drugs (treated as an appendix in the previous edition) are also defined. Notable for their omission are terms such as PNET (primitive neuroectodermal tumor) and organs like the omentum, to which ovarian cancer can metastasize. Sertoli-lydig tumor retains its misspelling as "sterloi-lydig." However, the new edition does include definitions of new drugs like angiostatin and endostatin and new procedures like proton beam therapy. The appendixes consist of lists of comprehensive cancer centers by state and of national organizations on cancer and AIDS; contact information for these organizations includes URLs and e-mail addresses. Also included is a bibliography, which encompasses both professional and lay literature but which has not been checked for newer editions. Because most of its content can be found in other, standard medical dictionaries, this second edition may be considered an optional purchase but will be useful for public and consumer health libraries whose collections are sparse in this area. (Illustrations not seen.)--Martha Stone, Massachusetts General Hosp. Lib., Boston
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