Oncology – An Oxford Core Text
2002

Review of Oncology – An Oxford Core Text

publication Evidence: low

Author Information

Author(s): Roy Spence OBE, Patrick Johnston

Primary Institution: St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK

Conclusion

The textbook provides a broad overview suitable for undergraduates but lacks depth and recent evidence for practitioners.

Supporting Evidence

  • The book is too big for a pocket but too abbreviated compared to comprehensive texts.
  • It provides a broad overview but is short on evidence for treatments.
  • Prognostic statements are simplified but lack detailed survival graphs.
  • There is little discussion on interpreting cancer trials and evaluating evidence.
  • The classification of chemotherapeutic agents is idiosyncratic.
  • It misses recent developments in cancer treatment and patient involvement.

Takeaway

This book is good for students learning about cancer, but it doesn't have enough details for doctors who need to make treatment decisions.

Limitations

The book lacks recent evidence, survival graphs, and discussions on patient involvement in treatment decisions.

Participant Demographics

Aimed primarily at undergraduate medical students, but also for nursing and para-medical staff, junior hospital doctors, general practitioners, and hospice staff.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/sj/bjc/6600293

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