The Theory and Practice of Oncology

The recognition of oncology as a single, multidisciplinary science concerned with the large group of diseases simply designated in the past as "cancer" was in itself a major medical advance. "Cancer" has today become "oncology" and the evolution of the whole speciality is described in detail in this book. Writing from a background of long, professional experience in this field, the author presents a picture of the broad spectrum of oncology. The book is a synthesis of all the subjects now included in oncology and describes the remarkable growth in our knowledge of them. There are separate chapters on the theory and practice of oncology; the discovery of carcinogens and carcinogenesis; and the development and contribution of basic oncological sciences, including epidemiology, endocrinology, immunology, virology and genetics. Other important subjects covered are radiation and cancer; cancer chemotherapy; and rehabilitation and continuing care in cancer. The book also describes the growth of specialist cancer hospitals and the work of major voluntary cancer associations. It ends with a discussion of likely developments in oncology in the future.