Print and media review

Despite substantial improvement in our understanding of the genetics of hereditary colorectal cancer over the last decades, there have been few comprehensive books on the subject. A part of the MD Anderson Solid Tumor Oncology Series, Hereditary Colorectal Cancer assembles the leaders in the field from around the world to provide an internationally relevant major reference covering the topic. It is a challenge to produce a text that speaks to a potentially diverse audience of basic scientists, clinical investigators, and practicing clinicians. The book is parsed into 12 parts with 35 chapters, with some parts comprehensive enough to be stand-alone volumes. It begins with historical information about the interesting story of the evolution of this field of study told by those who witnessed and participated in it. The second part begins the more rigorous scientific accounting of the basic science behind the hereditary cancer syndromes. The chapters in the basic science section are somewhat problematic in their detail: The clinician will be seeking more concise descriptions, and the active researcher will be seeking more current and specific information. The middle third of the book is devoted to clinical science related to caring for patients and families affected by these syndromes. These chapters are written by some of the world’s best-known authorities on these topics. These chapters will be useful to clinicians, who struggle at times to find guidance on the treatment of some of the less-common syndromes. However, the level of detail on management of specific conditions may disappoint clinicians who might prefer a practical primer on management with more detail for specific scenarios. The final third of the book covers many of the important social and legal issues related to hereditary colorectal cancer, with an expanded section on genetic counseling across health systems. Authors from around the world provide interesting accounts of the issues related to caring for a genetic disease in each of their own environments. From Africa to Europe, Australia, Asia, and the Americas, these 8 chapters provide interesting contrasts that illustrate the issues of genetic counseling. This section will likely have more appeal to the genetic counselors than researchers or some clinicians, and could almost stand alone as its own volume. The hardbound volume is well-organized, with an abstract of variable length leading off most chapters. Most figures are black and white, with some color figures and photos. The figures are generally useful aids , particularly when illustrating basic science and pathology concepts. The clinical chapters could have many more figures to illustrate the points of clinical management. Bottom Line: Hereditary Colorectal Cancer is the only comprehensive reference book on this topic, written by the international leaders in the field. It will be an essential work for those who have a particular interest in the field, including research scientists, clinicians, and genetic counselors. This attempt to reach a broad audience with an interest in this area is bound to leave some disappointed with the level of detail— either in the basic science area or the clinical area. Nevertheless, the text provides strong source material that will be valuable to investigators and clinicians who care for patients with hereditary colorectal cancer.