The second edition of this magisterial text follows the same basic format as the first edition of 1986. Within that format, nearly everything has been either extensively reworked or newly written, and 73 chapters have been added to deal with the growing body of scientific, medical, and social information that oncologists need for reference. A series of appendices has also been added for rapid, practical reference to staging, drug regimens, and the treatment of oncologic emergencies. As significant as the vast scientific and clinical coverage is the abiding concern with quality of life issues (many raised by the very advances in diagnosis and treatment) and with those segments of the population who, due to political expediency, economic greed, and public apathy, are not getting the benefits of the general advances in the field. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or. Read Less