Surgical Pathology of Endocrine and Neuroendocrine Tumors

Abstract

This book contains a comprehensive review of neoplasms of the endocrine system and of neuroendocrine tumours arising at other sites. The book has multiple authors who are recognised experts in their field. The book starts with an interesting section on imaging of these tumours followed by two chapters on fine needle aspiration cytology. Tumours (endocrine and non-endocrine) of the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands are then discussed, followed by chapters on endocrine tumours arising within the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract and pancreas, breast, urogenital tract, thymus and skin. The final chapters discuss endocrine tumours arising in younger patients, inherited syndromes and the application of molecular diagnostic techniques. The latter techniques are becoming increasingly integrated with – and complementary to – morphological assessment in diagnostic cellular pathology and it is, therefore, very important that this topic has been included. The book is well illustrated and each chapter is extensively referenced. The indexing system appears appropriate. This book would be particularly suitable as a reference text for a general histopathologist or a specialist histopathologist practising in endocrine pathology. However, it would also be of interest to specialists reporting in one of the other organ systems in which endocrine tumours arise. The terminology of endocrine/neuroendocrine neoplasms arising outside the usual endocrine organs can be varied and at times confusing. For example, the terms ‘carcinoid’ and ‘atypical carcinoid’ are still in common use for tumours arising within the lung but the term ‘(neuro)endocrine tumour’ is now recommended for neoplasms that were previously called ‘carcinoid tumour’ within the gastrointestinal tract. Where relevant, this issue is carefully discussed within individual chapters. Overall, this is a very well written and carefully illustrated book that I would recommend to histopathologists practising in anatomical areas in which endocrine tumours are encountered.