2nd edition. Katherine A Schneider. (Pp 333; $39.95.) New York: Wiley-Liss. 2002. ISDN 0-471-37036-3.

The editors have solicited the opinions of two end users, Kevin Sweet, a certified genetic counsellor practising in the United States, and Gareth Evans, a physician clinical geneticist practising in the United Kingdom.

This is a handy, second edition of a comprehensive paperback book on cancer genetics that was originally written for genetic counsellors in 1995. With the new edition, and the rapid pace of human cancer genetics practice since, this book has evolved to become not only an invaluable resource for the genetic counsellor, but a practical guide for all involved in clinical cancer genetics.

The book comprises 10 chapters, with short, helpful introductions provided for each. The first few chapters cover cancer epidemiology, detection and treatment, and cancer biology. These sections may be particularly useful to the novice in the field. The book opens with cancer statistics and information on environmental risk factors, which can be helpful in explaining to a patient why their family history of cancer is not hereditary. Chapter 2 essentially lays the groundwork for making the diagnosis of, and providing treatment for, cancer. This includes important sections on tumour nomenclature, classification and clinical staging, and cancer treatment. Chapter 3 provides an overview of the unique features and functions of the cancer cell. Molecular aspects of cancer genetics are highlighted, with good (albeit short) descriptions of the roles of oncogenes, tumour suppressor, and DNA repair genes in cancer. Of note, and in keeping with current advances in cancer research, is a concise section on epigenetic mechanisms as contributors to the disease process. Easy to follow tables and useful illustrations (as found throughout the book) make these overview chapters a very …