Introduction

Introduction

INCLUSION CRITERIA

A preliminary list of cancers and related topics was compiled from a wide variety of sources, including professional medical guides and textbooks, as well as consumer guides and encyclopedias. The advisory board, made up of medical doctors and oncology pharmacists, evaluated the topics and made suggestions for inclusion. Final selection of topics to include was made by the advisory board in conjunction with the Gale editor.

ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTORS

The essays were compiled by experienced medical writers, including physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and other health care professionals. The advisors reviewed the completed essays to ensure that they are appropriate, up-to-date, and medically accurate.

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

The Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer has been designed with ready reference in mind.

• Straight alphabetical arrangement of topics allows users to locate information quickly.
• Bold-faced terms within entries direct the reader to related articles.
• Cross-references placed throughout the encyclopedia direct readers from alternate names and related topics to entries.
• A list of key terms is provided where appropriate to define unfamiliar terms or concepts.
• A list of questions to ask the doctor is provided whenever appropriate to help facilitate discussion with the patient's physician.
• The Resources section for non-drug entries directs readers to additional sources of medical information on a topic.
• Valuable contact information for organizations and support groups is included with each cancer type entry. Appendix II at the back of Volume II contains an extensive list of organizations arranged in alphabetical order.
• A comprehensive general index guides readers to all topics mentioned in the text.
• A note about drug entries:Drug entries are listed in alphabetical order by common generic names. However, because many oncology drugs have more than one common generic name, and because in many cases, the brand name is also often used interchangeably with a generic name, drugs can be located in one of three ways. The reader can: find the generic drug name in alphabetical order, be directed to the entry from an alternate name cross-reference, or use the index to look up a brand name, which will direct the reader to the equivalent generic name entry. If the reader would like more information about oncology drugs than these entries provide, the reader is encouraged to consult with a physician, pharmacist, or the reader may find helpful any one of a number of books about cancer drugs. Two that may be helpful are: D. Solimando's Drug Information Handbook for Oncology, or R. Ellerby's Quick Reference Handbook of Oncology Drugs.

GRAPHICS

The Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer contains over 200 full-color illustrations, photos and tables. Eleven illustrations of various body systems can be found in the front matter of the book, and these can help the reader to understand which cancers may affect which organs, and how the various systems interact.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The editor would like to express appreciation to the following medical professionals who reviewed several entries within their areas of expertise for the Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer.

Linda Bressler, Pharm.D., B.C.O.P.
Clinical Associate Professor
College of Pharmacy
University of Illinois
Chicago, Illinois

Susan M. Mockus, Ph.D
Scientific Consultant
Seattle, Washington

James H. Morse, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of Gastroenterology
University of Virginia Health Sciences Center
Charlottesville, Virginia

PHOTO ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

On the cover, clockwise from upper left:

Colored computed tomography (CT) scan of a human brain. (Dept. of Clinical Radiology, Salisbury District Hospital, Science Source/Photo Researchers. Reproduced by permission.)

Color digitized image of the herpes simplex virus. (Custom Medical Stock Photo. Reproduced by permission.)

Colored CT scan revealing cancer of the liver.
(Dept. of Clinical Radiology, Salisbury District Hospital, Science Source/Photo Reseachers. Reproduced by permission.)

False-color bone scan of the spine and ribs showing metastatic bone cancer of the spine.(CNRI, Science Source/Photo Researchers. Reproduced by permission.)