74 BOOK REVIEWS
BREAST DISEASES John F. Forbes (Ed.) Churchill
Livingstone, 1986. No. of pages: 184 including
Index. Price: f22.00. ISBN 0443 03078 2. ISSN
0203 4422.
This book is the 10th volume in a series entitled
Clinical Surgery International. In contrast with
many books mainly concerned with breast cancer,
the editor has made an effort to include chapters on
the normal function, physiology and histogenesis
of breast tissue. There are also chapters on benign
breast disease and the pathogenesis of breast
cancer. These provide a firm foundation for the
second half of the book, which concentrates on the
clinical management of breast cancer.
The chapter on identification of patients at
increased risk of cancer was disappointing as the
controversial area of screening for breast cancer
was only given two paragraphs. Surely there is suf-
ficient argument over this topic to merit at least a
chapter. With arguments in mind, Baum reviewed
the history of breast cancer underlining the
changing philosophy of each age. Having read this
resume of the past it is clear that current theories
should always be examined in the light of the
wrongness of our previous thinking.
The chapter on requirements for clinical trials in
breast cancer stresses the need for rigorous and
CANCER OF THE FACE AND MOUTH. McGregor and
McGregor. Churchill Livingstone, 1986. No. of
pages: 615 including index. Price: f90.00. ISBN
0 443 02455 3.
This book will surely come to be recognized as
‘classic’in its field and must be required reading for
all with an interest in this subject.
The scope of the book is clearly defined in the
introduction and within this the surgical author has
established an international reputation. Specialists
in ‘head and neck’ surgery are drawn from a
wide range of disciplines, including plastic, facio-
maxillary, general and ENT surgery and the value
of this remarkable book would be enhanced if
it covered the whole range of pharyngeal and
laryngeal surgery. However, within its defined
scope the book provides a wonderfully compre-
hensive account of the pathology of head and neck
tumours, how they should be resected and how the
defect should be reconstructed. Where controversy
exists, this is clearly identified but then a well
argued opinion is given on the preferred approach.
As the author’s opinions are clearly stated, many
will not agree with all of them but will, nevertheless,
find his points of view acceptable. The chapter on
Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy provides a brief
scientific trials if we are to avoid the traps of the
past. Although the subsequent reviews on the man-
agement of disease have in the main concentrated
on properly controlled trials, some of the conclu-
sions drawn are not always supported by the results
of the trials. For instance, in the chapter on
adjuvant chemotherapy it is suggested that some
post-menopausal patients might benefit from
intensive five drug combination chemotherapy,
though no data to uphold this view are put forward.
Because these condensed chapters discuss multiple
randomized studies there is very little detail and the
reader has no opportunity to assess the relative
merits ofindividual studies himself. Although there
is a chapter on the management of locally advanced
disease this book does not include data on the
management of metastatic or recurrent disease.
Overall, this is an interesting volume which will
be thought-provoking for many. The oncologist
may find the sections on management somewhat
cursory, omitting management of metastatic dis-
ease and lacking in real discussion. The book will be
of good value to those in training, particularly in
surgical specialties.
C. J. WILLIAMS
Southampton General Hospital,
Southampton SO9 4XY
overview of his thoughts on this topic and I believe
few surgeons would begin a radical neck dissection
in the postero-inferior corner. In addition, some
might wish to see mention of cranio-facial resection
for advanced ethmoidal tumours and of modern
surgical developments, such as the laser and rather
more discussion of cryotherapy.
The drawings are of an outstanding quality as
are the majority of the photographs but, as these
have been taken from colour slides and are in black
and white, some of the surgical photographs lack
definition.
This is a fine reference book but it is also a
book which one would wish to read from cover to
cover. In reading this book one is provided with
beautifully presented facts and carefully discussed
opinion based on a wealth of surgical and patho-
logical experience. A vast amount of work has gone
into this book and the authors must be congratu-
lated on having produced an outstanding volume
which is a major contribution to the literature on
head and neck surgery and a delight to read.
J. A. S. CARRUTH
Dept of Otolaryngology, Royal South Hants
Hospital, Graham Road, Southampton, SO9 4PE