Malignant pleural mesothelioma

Kenneth J O'Byrne: Hope Directorate, St James' Hospital, Dub,in, Ireland; Valerie W Rusch: Thoracic Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York

Malignant pleural mesothelioma, a malignancy due largely to asbestos exposure, represents an increasingly common challenge to clinical and medical oncologists, respiratory physicians, and cardiothoracic surgeons, as well as researchers in the field. The disease has yet to reach its peak and is expected to kill over 100,000 people worldwide. As malignant pleural mesothelioma gains in profile, the editors present a comprehensive overview of the subject, aimed at all health care professionals who come into contact with patients with the disease. The book includes chapters on epidemiology, diagnosis, histopathology, radiology, surgery, chemotherapy, immune therapy, radiotherapy, and palliative medicine, written by an international team of contributors. A molecular biology section focuses on the carcinogenic effects of asbestos fibres and simian virus 40, angiogenesis and angiogenic growth factors, the immune response, and genetic abnormalities detected in the disease. Future therapies are also covered, as is a perspective on the distinct legal issues related to the disease. This highly-illustrated, full colour book provides the ultimate, timely resource on this devastating disease.