UP FRONT
Book Review
In this column, Beth Faiman, CNP, PhD, reviews the 5th edition of the
Textbook of Uncommon Cancer.
Have you read any hematology-related books recently? Let us know what we
should read and review by emailing us at [email protected].
Uncommon Presentations,
Uncommon Cancers
BOOK DETAILS
TITLE:
Textbook of Uncommon Cancer,
Fifth Edition
EDITORS:
Derek Raghavan, Manmeet S. Ahluwalia,
Charles D. Blanke, Jubilee Brown,
Edward S. Kim, Gregory H. Reaman,
Mikkael A. Sekeres
ISBN:
978-1-119-19620-4
LENGTH:
1,296 pages
PUBLISHED:
May 2017, Wiley-Blackwell
ASHClinicalNews.org
A 52-YEAR-OLD MARATHON runner
without any significant medical or family
history presents with progressive short-
ness of breath, which has worsened over
the course of 3 months. He is seen by his
primary-care provider, who orders a com-
plete blood count, comprehensive meta-
bolic panel, pulmonary function tests, a
chest x-ray, a computed tomography scan,
and an electrocardiogram (ECG). The
test results are all essentially normal and
fail to explain his progressive shortness
of breath. He is referred to a cardiologist,
and an ECG shows that he has a thickened
myocardium, diastolic dysfunction, a low
left ventricular ejection fraction (50%),
and an elevated N-terminal pro b-type
natriuretic peptide (4,350 ng/mL).
An astute practitioner orders a
monoclonal protein analysis, which is
positive for monotypic lambda, and a
serum free light chain assay shows an
elevated lambda-free serum (4,880 mg/L).
An endomyocardial biopsy stained
with thioflavin S is positive for lambda
monotypic light chains. The patient is
diagnosed with immunoglobulin light
chain cardiac amyloidosis.
Each of us encounter exceptional cases
such as this in our daily practice, which
often begin with a relatively common
symptom. The 5th edition of the Textbook
of Uncommon Cancer provides practi-
tioners with valuable, evidence-based
information for diagnosing and managing
numerous hematologic and solid cancers.
For each condition, the text lists signs and
symptoms, describes practical approaches
to treatment, and highlights necessary
patient and family resources.
Practitioners will appreciate the
information provided in this updated
edition, which includes diagnostic and
treatment considerations in a multitude
of areas, written by international experts
in the fields of hematology and oncol-
ogy. With just one glance at the book’s
table of contents, I was particularly
intrigued to see the diverse range of
blood and solid tumor cancers addressed
within its pages.
My interest was piqued further when
perusing the sections on plasma cell
dyscrasia and leukemia. While these
cancers are already less common than,
say, breast or prostate cancer, these
chapters manage to cover uncommon
manifestations of uncommon cancers,
such as immunoglobulin D and non-
secretory myeloma and chronic neutro-
philic leukemia. Reading through these
two chapters, I was captivated by the
information that I did not even know
existed. The editors and authors also
provide clinical pearls and insight into
recognizing and promptly treating these
disorders, which, given their infrequency,
are particularly useful.
That this book covers less com-
mon presentations is unique, as most
textbooks tend to cover “classic” case
scenarios. Such textbooks are typically
more concerned with reviewing com-
monalities so that readers won’t miss
a correct diagnosis, but fail to address
the other side of the coin – unusual
presentations.
“I was particularly
intrigued to
see the diverse
range of blood
and solid
tumor cancers
addressed
within its pages.”
Accurate diagnostic considerations
and prompt interventions are essential to
improve outcomes and minimize mor-
bidities, no matter what the ailment. The
science is moving fast in terms of
diagnosis and management of cancer.
Rare and infrequently encountered
malignancies are just as important to be
aware of as common manifestations, par-
ticularly for those who already subspe-
cialize within hematology, where the rare
has become common, but the ultra-rare
might require a refresher.
This text provides insight on excep-
tional scenarios, along with updated
prognostic classification systems, strate-
gies for immunophenotypic analyses, and
updated genomic considerations.
This is a great text to keep on your
shelf and page through as time permits.
Whether you practice in a community-
based or a large, hospital-based setting,
the Textbook of Uncommon Cancer is a
must-have resource for all practitioners. ●
ASH Clinical News
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