The Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer (Two Volume Set) by Ellen Thackery (Repost)

This latest offering from the Gale Group gives lay readers a comprehensive look at the current state of cancer and its therapies, covering specific cancer types, diagnostic procedures, side effects, drugs, and treatments. The two-volume set comprises over 450 signed entries, authored by an array of healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and medical writers.

A medical advisory board reviewed each article for accuracy before its final inclusion in the set. All entries follow an information template. Entries covering cancer types, for example, are presented via 12 subtopics that range from a definition to substantive disease basics and additional resources for reading and research, while entries on cancer drugs entail seven subtopics, including definition, dosages, and side effects. Bold-faced words, cross references, and lists of key terms also guide the user. Unfortunately, the alphabetical arrangement, while simple to follow, does not always lead readers to the information they may seek. For example, the entry for choriocarcinoma is found, however logically, under "G" for "Gestational Trophoblastic Disease," which demands either additional knowledge from the reader or a look at the index (available in Volume 2). Better-detailed and more plentiful illustrations would also have enhanced the readable text. Appendixes offer a list of the National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers, a list of national support groups with contact information, and lists of government agencies and research groups. Ultimately, the real value of this work lies in its expansive information about cancer, from the basic science behind oncology, namely, cancer genetics, tumor biology, and carcinogenesis, to the myriad healthcare issues surrounding the cancer patient. This title is recommended for consumer health collections that specialize in cancer. Other health collections that cannot afford this pricey set will benefit from the American Cancer Society's Informed Decisions.