Ovarian Cancer

Abstract

In the last 10 years, dramatic advances have been made in both the understanding of the basic biology and the clinical management of ovarian cancer. The editors demonstrate great skill in selecting a number of high quality contributions from leading experts on ovarian cancer, covering this entire field from basic science to clinical aspects. In general, experts in their respective fields have written the chapters and many of them have been at the forefront of these advances. The book begins with a section on the basic science of ovarian cancer, addressing the latest data in the area of molecular biology, including hereditary cancers and experimental approaches to the disease. This is followed by separate chapters on the histopathology of the three main types of ovarian cancer: epithelial, germ cell and sex cord-stromal tumors. The third and largest section of the book reflects the latest available information on ‘state of the art’ management of ovarian cancer. Classic issues are extensively described, such as primary surgical management of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer, primary chemotherapy, secondary cytoreductive surgery, treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer, and management of early stage disease. The chapters on chemotherapy include the recent advances in both primary and second-line chemotherapy, as well as newly developed chemotherapeutic agents. Controversial issues, such as laparoscopy in the management of ovarian cancer, intraperitoneal chemotherapy and the role of radiotherapy in the management of ovarian cancer, are critically discussed. Also covered are the management of ovarian cancers of low malignant potential, aspects of palliative surgery and quality of life issues. Each topic is treated as an updated and detailed review. The layout of the individual chapters is relatively uniform and the overlap, which might be expected with over 40 contributors, is minimal. Most chapters end with a concise conclusion, in which realism rather than optimism is reflected. All major studies published are well reported and references are complete and up to date, as recent as possible for a book. Each chapter of the book is extensively developed, with an adequate number of figures, tables, photographs and artist sketches. All in all, I feel this book will serve as a valuable resource for the clinician or scientist, established or in training, who would like an overview of ovarian cancer. For those especially interested in the field, the book will give an excellent background with a view on future developments in ovarian cancer.