Skin Cancer

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, May, 2008

Skin Cancer

by Keyvan Nouri MD

McGraw Hill; 2007

$165.00, 800 pages. ISBN: 0071472568/9780071472562

Reviewed by Susan Weinkle MD

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Skin Cancer, edited by Dr. Keyvan Nouri, is an excellent reference for dermatologists and other specialists. The first 35 chapters include a comprehensive review of cancers and tumors of the skin, hair, and nails. This section begins with a thorough description of normal skin, aging skin, and the epidemiology and etiology of skin cancer. The next 30 chapters present an in depth discussion of various cancers including outstanding clinical and histopathologic corrections. The clinical photographs of the dermatological manifestations of internal malignancies are most impressive. Also included in each chapter is a differential diagnosis and a brief review of treatment options and prognoses.

The second section of the textbook addresses the techniques for evaluation, including biopsies, dermoscopies, and sentinel lymph node biopsies. This is followed by a comprehensive as-sessment of treatment options such as Mohs surgery, cryosurgery, photodynamic therapy, radiation, topical therapy, and vaccines. Skin cancer prevention and sunscreens are also reviewed.

The third and last section includes related issues such as photography, economic and medical legal issues, psychosocial aspects, and public awareness of skin cancer.

Each chapter of the book has a well delineated overview and summary. This contributes to the textbook being user friendly as a reference and easily readable. Each of the 55 chapters is well referenced. The authors are all respected experts in their field of specialty. I would like to compliment Dr. Nouri on the high quality of the photographs. These color illustrations enhance the value of this textbook to all specialties as a comprehensive reference on skin cancer.

I also congratulate Dr. Nouri on this outstanding accomplishment and highly recommend this textbook.