Includes References and Index

When we began training as residents in general surgery during the 1980s, cancer
was primarily a surgical disease. The majority of cancer patients did not see other
specialists. They had surgery, received routine postoperative care, and then were
discharged home to face an uncertain future. The following decades, however, have
seen a transformation in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship of
cancer. Cancer is now a very multidisciplinary disease and not only involves dedicated professionals from many specialties but also encourages active patient engagement. These dramatic changes have resulted in improvements in both treatment and
survival but have also created, at times, the seemingly overwhelming task of providing the highest quality, accessible, affordable cancer care to an increasing number
of diverse patients. For this book, respected experts were asked to contribute information that would help cancer care providers “in the trenches” meet this challenge.
We believe this book will be an invaluable resource and thank our authors for their
willingness to share their expertise with our readers. Thanks also to Stephanie Frost
for her work on this project.