Multiple Myeloma and Related Disorders
http://www.100md.com
《新英格兰医药杂志》
Our understanding of the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma and the treatment of this condition have improved over the last decade to a degree unmatched by the advances of the preceding five decades. The publication of this book — edited by three distinguished members of the "myeloma community" and containing contributions from Europe, North America, and Australia — has been well timed in that it offers a benchmark reference for the specialist in this field and provides the nonspecialist with a comprehensive overview of the discipline at the beginning of an exciting new period.
The book is well structured, and the information within it accessible. It is divided into major sections on history and epidemiology, biology and pathophysiology, clinical investigation, treatment, and complications. Each of these contains several chapters, and there is an additional section that includes six chapters on related disorders.
The chapters are well written, and each offers a clear summary of what is currently known, with clear illustrations (though, sadly, only in black and white, apart from 16 color plates), a useful list of key points, and a comprehensive list of references. The slight overlap among chapters is forgivable, since this allows each to be read as a self-contained unit. For readers who wish to explore further the topics in each chapter, the references identify key primary papers and major review articles. However, the chapter on clinical features spurns this opportunity, since all but 1 of the 113 references are designated a "key primary paper" or a "major review article."
Conventional chemotherapy and high-dose treatment are well covered and discussed in a balanced way. However, there is considerably less discussion of the role of thalidomide in the clinical setting than one would have expected in a 2004 publication, since thalidomide has been used widely for at least a decade both within and outside of clinical trials. There is also less discussion of bortezomib and immunomodulatory drugs than there might have been, although this is perhaps less surprising, given that these emerging agents are at an early phase of clinical development.
Notable highlights are the four chapters on pathophysiology, including an overview of the emerging understanding of the biology of myeloma bone disease. Other highlights include a review of biochemical investigations and their pitfalls (not always the forte of the hematologist), a thought-provoking contribution on supportive care, and an excellent overview of Waldenstr?m's macroglobulinemia, with further good chapters on monoclonal gammopathies of undetermined significance, solitary plasmacytoma, plasma-cell leukemia, amyloidosis, and heavy-chain diseases.
This book attempts to recount the biology and treatment of myeloma from the first case report in 1844 to the introduction of new therapies in the early 21st century. The editors hope, they write, that "the book will be of interest not only to scientists and specialists in the field but also for practitioners and non-specialists." They largely achieve their goals. A copy of this book should be available in every hematology department and on the shelf of every specialist in this field.
Charles Singer, F.R.C.P., F.R.C.Path.
Royal United Hospital
Bath BA1 7NG, United Kingdom
The book is well structured, and the information within it accessible. It is divided into major sections on history and epidemiology, biology and pathophysiology, clinical investigation, treatment, and complications. Each of these contains several chapters, and there is an additional section that includes six chapters on related disorders.
The chapters are well written, and each offers a clear summary of what is currently known, with clear illustrations (though, sadly, only in black and white, apart from 16 color plates), a useful list of key points, and a comprehensive list of references. The slight overlap among chapters is forgivable, since this allows each to be read as a self-contained unit. For readers who wish to explore further the topics in each chapter, the references identify key primary papers and major review articles. However, the chapter on clinical features spurns this opportunity, since all but 1 of the 113 references are designated a "key primary paper" or a "major review article."
Conventional chemotherapy and high-dose treatment are well covered and discussed in a balanced way. However, there is considerably less discussion of the role of thalidomide in the clinical setting than one would have expected in a 2004 publication, since thalidomide has been used widely for at least a decade both within and outside of clinical trials. There is also less discussion of bortezomib and immunomodulatory drugs than there might have been, although this is perhaps less surprising, given that these emerging agents are at an early phase of clinical development.
Notable highlights are the four chapters on pathophysiology, including an overview of the emerging understanding of the biology of myeloma bone disease. Other highlights include a review of biochemical investigations and their pitfalls (not always the forte of the hematologist), a thought-provoking contribution on supportive care, and an excellent overview of Waldenstr?m's macroglobulinemia, with further good chapters on monoclonal gammopathies of undetermined significance, solitary plasmacytoma, plasma-cell leukemia, amyloidosis, and heavy-chain diseases.
This book attempts to recount the biology and treatment of myeloma from the first case report in 1844 to the introduction of new therapies in the early 21st century. The editors hope, they write, that "the book will be of interest not only to scientists and specialists in the field but also for practitioners and non-specialists." They largely achieve their goals. A copy of this book should be available in every hematology department and on the shelf of every specialist in this field.
Charles Singer, F.R.C.P., F.R.C.Path.
Royal United Hospital
Bath BA1 7NG, United Kingdom