Over the past nearly two decades, thoracic oncology has evolved into a highly complex oncologic subspecialty. Elaborate multimodality treatment regimens utilizing chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and increasingly more complex biological agents, including targeted and immunologic therapies are now standard for a group of malignancies that themselves have become more complex due to increasingly detailed and discriminating staging and genetic evaluation standards. A rapidly advancing knowledgebase has led to dramatic improvements in individualized or “personalized” care; but the myriad of rapid changes also have created a challenge for oncologists to comprehend and incorporate into daily practice. This staggering rapidity of change highlights the need for a comprehensive thoracic oncology textbook designed to be frequently updated in order to keep clinicians, be they pulmonologists, pathologists, radiologists, surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, or gastroenterologists, up-to-date in the most current care. Modern Thoracic Oncology utilizes a strategy designed to overcome the traditionally slow production timeline of textbook publication to keep abreast of the pace of change. To overcome this hurdle, we have recruited world experts, who have agreed to author a very small and concise topic (rather than a whole book chapter) so that the information can be frequently updated, reviewed, and published rapidly — thereby keeping this book relevant and current. Whether one desires information regarding lung cancer screening, esophageal cancer staging, mutational analysis, targeted therapies, stereotactic ablative radiation with real-time imaging, minimally-invasive and robotic surgery, combination immunotherapy, microwave/cryoablation, or methods of early cancer detection, we have endeavored to encompass all of the latest information in the field of thoracic oncology. With frequent future updates, we hope that this ambitious reference textbook will become your sourcebook for thoracic oncology. Modern Thoracic Oncology is published in 3 volumes:

Volume 1 entitled “General Principles of Thoracic Oncology” is a comprehensive introduction to thoracic oncology. Principles of thoracic oncology care are discussed and include topics, such as thoracic anatomy and embryology; medical evaluation of cancer patients, appropriate imaging modalities with a specific discussion of lung cancer screening, and the basic principles underlying the various treatment modalities. Under thoracic surgical oncology, details regarding the appropriate choice of staging as well as surgical resection of thoracic tumors are discussed with an emphasis on minimally-invasive and robotic surgery. In the radiation oncology section, treatment focusing on planning, specific types of radiation delivery, from conventional radiation to Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR), and radiation-induced toxicities (and their management) are outlines in great detail. Basic tenets of precision medical oncology also are detailed including the genetic basis of 1st through 3rd line standard cytotoxic chemotherapy, targeted biological agents, and immunotherapy along with specific guidance regarding immune-related toxicities. The principles of other therapy options, including percutaneous image-guided ablative therapy and photodynamic therapy complete invasive options. Treatment of cancer patients does not stop at invasive therapies, however. Quality of life issues for patients and their families are discussed as well as topics such as nutrition, Chinese herbal medicine, pain management, acupuncture, and end of life care.

Volume 2 entitled “Trachea, Lung, and Pleura” addresses lung cancer, one of the most common and deadliest malignancies in the world as well as two relatively rare respiratory tumors. The care of lung cancer patients is highly complex and includes many new details in terms of staging, imaging, genetics, biology, and advances in therapies, including minimally-invasive and robotic surgery, SABR, lung cancer screening, and highly complex and personalized targeted and immuno-oncology. The changing genetic landscape as well as actionable biologics are outlined in great detail. In addition, the evolving treatment paradigms of malignant pleural mesothelioma are detailed including their biological basis. Finally, the treatment of rare malignancies of the trachea are described in depth by experts in the care and management of these patients. Each of these thoracic disease sites, is systematically presented by leading experts in their biology, diagnosis, imaging, pathology and treatment.

Volume 3 entitled “Esophagus, Mediastinum, Chest Wall and Diaphragm” covers esophageal cancer, one of the most rapidly growing malignancies in the world and which still poses significant challenges to thoracic oncologists. Esophageal squamous cell tumors are discussed by experts from Asia where this disease is endemic and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus is detailed by oncologists in the West who face this challenge on a daily basis. by surgery, radiation and medical oncology, and finally prognosis and surveillance. When indicated, a section on screening is presented as well. Volume 2 includes disease sites: trachea, lung (non-small cell carcinoma and small cell carcinoma), and pleura (malignant mesothelioma). Volume 3 includes disease sites: esophagus (squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma), mediastinum (thymic neoplasms and germ cell neoplasms), chest wall and diaphragm (bony and soft tissue sarcomas, cardiac neoplasms and thoracic metastasis). The biology, diagnosis, imaging, screening, pathology and various treatment options are all provided. Finally, similar information is given about relatively uncommon tumors of the mediastinum and chest wall as well as diaphragm and even the heart. The three volume textbook provides a truly comprehensive and complete perspective on the subspecialty of thoracic oncology.

Contents:General Principles of Thoracic Oncology:Anatomy and EmbryologyMedical Evaluation of Thoracic Oncology PatientsImaging of the ThoraxPrinciples of Thoracic Surgical OncologyPrinciples of Thoracic Radiation OncologyPrinciples of Thoracic Medical OncologyPrinciples of Other Therapeutic ModalitiesPrinciples of Supportive and Palliative CareTrachea, Lung, and Pleura:Trachea and Lung Neoplasms:Trachea NeoplasmsNon-Small Cell Lung NeoplasmsSmall Cell Lung NeoplasmsPleural Neoplasms:Malignant Pleural MesotheliomaEsophagus, Mediastinum, Chest Wall, and Diaphragm:Esophageal Neoplasms:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the EsophagusAdenocarcinoma of the EsophagusMediastinal Neoplasms:Thymic NeoplasmsGerm Cell NeoplasmsChest Wall and Diaphragmatic Neoplasms:Bony and Soft Tissue SarcomasCardiac NeoplasmsMetastatic Neoplasms of the Chest
Readership: Medical residents, thoracic oncologists in training.
Keywords:Chest;Thoracic;Oncology;Surgery;Radiation;Chemotherapy;Targeted Therapy;Immunotherapy;Esophagus;Lung;Thymus;Sarcoma;Mediastinum;Pleura MesotheliomaReview:Key Features:Only focused textbook in thoracic oncology covering all chest malignancies

Olga Olevsky

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