Textbook of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is a global problem fueledby the continuous use of tobacco in most countries, despite efforts at expandingsmoking cessation programs. Several advances in the diagnosis and treatment oflung cancer were achieved in the past decade. This progress notwithstanding,most lung cancer patients succumb to their illness, and few enjoy long-termsurvival.

The authors have attempted to list the recent advances inthis concise, easy-to-read textbook, which is the official text of theInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC).

This textbook consists of 17 chapters covering various topicson thoracic malignancies in a systematic fashion. The first 10 chapters providean overview of lung cancer, with respect to etiology, epidemiology, pathology,diagnosis, and staging of the disease. This is followed by three chaptersdedicated to the treatment of small-cell and non-small-cell lung cancer andmesothelioma. The final four chapters discuss issues related to palliation,complications, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness. Two unique appendicesare also included: The first covers surgical techniques used in the managementof lung cancer, expanding on the subject of perioperative care andcomplications, and the second provides a quick helpful reference to the mostcommonly used chemotherapeutic agents in this disease.

Throughout, distinguished authors from the United States,Europe, and Japan provide their analysis of the world literature regarding lungcancer, crossing continental barriers and achieving a true unification ofvisions. Despite the authors’ best efforts, however, some of the newestadvances in this field did not receive adequate discussion. Among the topicsthat are insufficiently addressed are second-line therapy for non-small-celllung cancer and promising results in this disease with the use of targetedtherapy, such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors and anti-vascularendothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibody.

Overall, the textbook has successfully compiled worldwideexperiences in the field of lung cancer. The book in fact manages to outline theglobal vision on the subject rather than providing a skewed view of one countryor region. It represents a concise reference for anyone interested in expandinghis or her knowledge of this subject. It is hoped that the IASLC will continueto assemble such textbooks, which reflect the international vision of thisorganization and its members.