Abstract
The third edition of Diagnostic Histopathology of Tumors is a hardcover, 2-volume set with 2 accompanying CD-ROMs. This book was written by more than 50 internationally recognized authorities and the editor, C. D. M. Fletcher, has been described as eminently qualified to oversee this massive compilation of human tumors. Fletcher is the director of surgical pathology at Brigham and Women's Hospital, chief of onco-pathology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and professor of pathology at Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA. There are 16 chapters in each volume. The first chapter is an excellent introductory chapter written by Fletcher, and the next 29 chapters are color coded and named by organ system. These 29 chapters are similarly and well organized, consisting of different categories of tumors affecting that particular organ system. Additionally, a section dealing with a particular type of tumor is further divided into subsections that discuss clinical features, histologic appearances, and differential diagnosis. This third edition has a mini-index for each chapter on the first page of that chapter. (The second edition did not have this additional aid.) The last 2 chapters discuss electron microscopy in tumor diagnosis and molecular genetic techniques in diagnosis and prognosis. The text is concise, and the list of references is extensive.
Both the second edition and this new third edition have been described by multiple reviewers as beautiful, and indeed they are. The third edition includes more than 3,100 full-color, high-quality images, tables, and charts that are well organized and easy to read. The images are phenomenal and primarily consist of histopathology photomicrographs; however, there are some fantastic gross photographs as well. This new edition was published 7 years after the second edition and includes substantially updated information. The chapters dealing with the tumors of the hepatobiliary system, female reproductive system, eye, and hematopoietic system have been completely rewritten. There have also been significant changes in the WHO classifications of various tumors in the past 7 years, and this new edition has included those updates. The last chapter, “Molecular Genetic Techniques in Diagnosis and Prognosis,” also includes a new subsection, “Pharmacogenomics,” which discusses targeted drug therapy.
An added bonus to this new edition is the CD-ROMs that include all of the illustrations from each chapter. The CD-ROMs are easy to use, well indexed, and well organized. Images can be viewed by chapter, or you can search for specific images by key words. Images can be exported to PowerPoint or to an HTML presentation, which makes for an excellent teaching tool.
Although this book consists entirely of human tumor pathology, it has significant application for veterinary pathologists. Classification systems are similar in both fields, and the color histopathology images alone make this book a useful diagnostic tool for surgical veterinary and human pathologists alike. The second edition of this book has been extensively used by this laboratory, and I am sure this new edition will be similarly used. The CD-ROMs are also excellent teaching aids for veterinary student and resident lectures. Any veterinary pathologist who reads a significant number of surgical biopsies should invest in this book.