CRC TXTBK SURG ONCOLOGY PDF

Preface

Cancer is increasingly the major cause of premature death worldwide, while surgery remains the principal therapeutic modality with the highest drate of cure (a position it has occupied since the dawn of modern medicine). Furthemore, surgeons are most frequently the gatekeepers of care for the majority of patients who develop solid malignant tumors. Surgeons play pivotal roles in diagnosis: in the clinic; at the bedside; performing endoscopies; and undertaking diagnostic surgical procedures. It is impossible to overestimate the role of radical surgical resection of the oncologic field in offering these patients the best hope of long-term survivcal and cure. As a result, even today, 60 per cent of those who are cured of cancer are cured by surgery alone. And surgery remains integral to the treatment of the vast majority of the remainder who require multi-modal therapy to achieve cure.

However, the modern surgical management of solid tumors in now multi-modal, yet residency training remains discipline based, oftern following historical anatomic-based crafts. Surgical oncology is not recognised in many countries as a distinct discipline in both training and practice (as say vascular or transplant surgery), nor are residents in the other oncologic disciplines (medical and radiation oncology) exposed to the principles of cancer surgery during the course of their training.

Therefore the purpose of this book is two fold. Firstly, to overview the field of surgical oncology for surgeons in training: covering the principles of surgical, radiation and medical oncology; the holistic approach to the surgical cancer patient; and the diagnostic, staging and treatment algorithms necessary to successfully manage these patients. Secondly, to provide a comprehensive source of reference to medical and radiation oncologists both in practice and in training, and other healthcare professionals intimately involved in teh care of cancer patiensts (palliative care, primary care, cancer nursing and other therapists, as well as carers), for the role of surgery in both the curative and palliative management of their patients.

Lastly, we should never forget our patients. Those, facing the most awful of challenges, confronted by the enormity of their diagnosis, who then literally place their lives in the hands of the surgical oncologist. Their courage and hope is an everyday reminder to those of us who take on the enormous responsibility of managing their care. This book is dedicated to those, our patients.