Toxicology of the pancreas: a review

Toxicology of the Pancreas is a complete summary of the pancreas. It covers every aspect of the pancreas relevant to the clinician and the researcher. Areas such as embryology, anatomy, immunology and toxicology are covered in great detail. It also provides a brief insight into pancreatic cancer. This brevity was disappointing because, as a clinician, pancreatic cancer is a very important subject and questions about it are raised frequently by patients with chronic diseases of the pancreas.The book is too detailed for the lay person, and even contains too much for the general practitioner. The information given is outstanding but very detailed. It is best suited for specialists in pancreatic disease and researchers.I especially enjoyed the reviews of anatomy and physiology. These chapters were very well written and very insightful. They will be a good source for my continued review. The book, in its entirety, will be an excellent source of reference for anyone whose research or clinical practice examines patients with pancreatic disease. The only exception to the level of coverage is patients with pancreatic cancer, but sufficient information about pancreatic cancer is provided to help the general practitioner give an explanation to their patients before referring them to a specialist.I also enjoyed the toxicology chapters. I was impressed with the level of detail and with the fact that the details were current. These chapters bring insight to different toxicological agents and their effects on the pancreas. It allows one to understand more completely how the various toxic agents that people bring into their bodies affect the pancreas. The detailed descriptions of the pancreatic duct and relation to the common bile duct also helps clinicians to understand more about the disease entity gallstone pancreatitis, which remains an unsolved mystery. The book also highlights the toxic effect of smoking on the pancreas. This area is not emphasized sufficiently in the medical community. Everyone knows of the toxic effects of smoking on the lungs but not many know of its toxic effect on the pancreas.The chapters on the endocrine and exocrine pancreas were too detailed for the general practitioner, as well as for the general public. They will be an excellent resource for the medical student learning about the pancreas and for researchers and pancreatic specialists. I enjoyed them very much and found information that I had not read before. These chapters have helped me better understand the genesis of pancreatic diseases, which will help me in my clinical practice.I was very pleased to see a chapter on autoimmune pancreatitis. This condition, formerly known as idiopathic pancreatitis, is finally starting to receive attention. This is an area of interest for me and my practice. My partner and I receive many referrals of patients with this condition. Unfortunately, we receive them when their only treatment option is surgery. We need early markers for autoimmune pancreatitis so that we can treat these patients with steroids. We need to be able to diagnose this by needle biopsy specimen, not by surgical pathology. In the coming years this disease will become more prevalent in our society simply because more people are becoming aware of it. We need to improve our diagnostic skills pertaining to this disease so that patients can avoid surgery and be treated medically.In summary, I would like to commend the authors for their fine work. Toxicology of the Pancreas was pleasurable reading and has helped my practice. Thank you for enhancing my knowledge, which will help me to be a better hepatobiliary-pancreatic surgeon.