Mendelson J, Howley PM, Israel MA, Liotta LA: Molecular Basis of Cancer, Second Edition, 752 pp, Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders ($150.00).

The first edition of this outstanding book was greeted in this journal, to quote, as “a clearly written text with many excellent tables, diagrams, illustrations, and photographs…An outstanding reference.” The same statement could be applied to the second edition. A very good book was made even better through a thorough revision and by adding 11 new chapters.

With contributions from more than 50 leading cancer researchers from the best known American medical centers, the book covers the basic aspects of cancer. It is divided into four sections. The first section deals with cellular aspects of malignant transformation and related cell biology, such as cell cycle regulation or apoptosis; genetic aspects of cell function and growth; oncogenes; and signal transduction. The second section deals with the growth and spread of cancer. The third section deals with molecular pathogenesis of specific malignancies, usually subdivided by the organ system in which they arose. The fourth section deals with the molecular basis of cancer therapy.

All chapters are up-to-date, well-edited, and informative. The text is well-referenced and quite detailed but written so that it can be read meaningfully even by those who have a limited knowledge of the basic biology of cancer. Researchers who work in this field will find the chapters as a good summary and review of the current state of affairs.

This book will be most useful to clinicians in need of a good review of the basic biology of cancer, but it could be recommended to graduate and medical students as well as basic researchers.