Fundamentals in Oncologic Ultrasound: Sonographic Imaging and Intervention in the Cancer Patient

It is a remarkable observation that human creativity can be fostered by spectacular scenery, itself usually the result of tectonic activity which raises mountains of beauty but carries the sting of earthquakes and eruptions. Think of Silicon Valley in Ca- fornia or of the Tokyo-Kyoto corridor in Eastern Japan. Another is the glorious Amalfi coast around Naples, where the authors of this new textbook work in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius. Is it the beauty that inspires or the tension of knowing that one’s life may be shattered at any moment if a volcanic or tectonic disaster strikes? Whatever the explanation, these authors’ passion for their subject shines through and their work carries not only their enthusiasm but also a rare beauty in its construction/format, for it is a joy to hold and behold with its beautiful all-colour printing and abundant illustrations of excellent quality, mainly, of course, ultrasound images but also corresponding CT scans and numerous elegant diagrams. But, is there a need for a textbook on ultrasound in oncology? Doesn’t everyone accept that CT or PET/CT (and sometimes MR) have nailed the problem of oncologic imaging? Well, while CT is undoubtedly the core imaging technique for the det- tion, staging, treatment planning and follow-up of tumours, there remain many app- cations for modern ultrasound, as readers of this textbook will be persuaded.

Table of Contents:
General Considerations: Pros of tumour ultrasound. Cons of tumour ultrasound. Ultrasound and tumour screening. Ultrasound and neoangiogenesis. Tumour staging. General Considerations: Pros of tumor ultrasound. Cons of tumor ultrasound. Ultrasound and tumor screening. Ultrasound and neoangiogenesis. Tumor staging. Ultrasound and response to treatment. Ultrasound, follow-up, and recurrence. Gray-scale Ultrasound – Methodology. Gray-scale Ultrasound – Applications. Spectral Doppler – Methodology and applications. Color and power Doppler – Methodology. Color and power Doppler – Applications. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound – Methodology. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound – Applications.- Superficial Soft Tissues: Skin tumours. Superficial lymphadenopaties. Palpable superficial masses. Soft-tissue sarcomas.- The Neck: Neck masses. Salivary tumours. Thyroid nodule. Staging and follow-up of thyroid cancer.- The Breast: Breast nodule. Locally-advanced breast cancer. Lymph node metastasis. Loco-regional recurrence of breast cancer.- The Abdomen: Abdominal masses. Focal lesions in patients without chronic liver disease. Focal lesions in patients with chronic liver disease. Gallbladder wall lesions. Malignant jaundice. Pancreatic tumors. Focal splenic lesions. Abdominal lymphadenopaties. Peritoneal carcinomatosis. Gastrointestinal tract tumours.- The Urogenital Tract: Adrenal masses. Small renal tumors. Renal masses. Atypical renal cyst. Ovarian masses. Endometrial thickening. Bladder wall lesions. Prostate nodule. Testis tumors.- US-Guided Intervention : US guidance for interventional procedures. Needle aspiration - Superficial structures. Needle aspiration - Internal structures. Core Biopsy - Superficial structures. Core Biopsy - Internal structures. Vacuum-assisted biopsy. Placement of presurgical markers. Drainages. Percutaneous ethanol injection. Radiofrequency ablation and other ablation therapies. Assessment of liver lesions treated with ablation therapies.- References.

Review :
From the reviews: “This book starts with a clinical question or problem and illustrates how ultrasound can be used to provide information. … It provides a unique means of portraying ultrasound pathology. General radiologists are the intended audience. … This excellent book can be used for quick reference as one encounters an unknown mass or clinical problem.” (Julie Sossaman, Doody’s Review Service, December, 2009)