Since the first edition was published in 1982, Treatment of Cancer has become a standard text for postgraduate physicians in the UK and beyond, providing all information necessary for modern cancer management in one comprehensive but accessible volume. By inviting experts from a number of disciplines to share their knowledge, the editors have succeeded in delivering a truly integrated approach to the care of the patient with cancer. This fifth edition adopts the successful structure of previous editions, whilst being thoroughly revised and updated, and with several completely new chapters, covering important topics such as drug development, cancer prevention, and economics of cancer care, as well as treatments such as radioimmunotherapy, biological therapies and antibody therapy. Part One considers the scientific basis and fundamental principles underlying cancer treatment and examines the likely developments that will occur over the next decade at the leading edge of oncology. Part Two is divided into two sections; the first covering general issues of cancer management, including planning techniques, concomitent chemoradiotherapy, surgical oncology and palliative care; and the second using a system-based approach to cover the clinical aspects and management plans for the whole spectrum of malignant disease. Treatment of Cancer surpasses other oncology texts in condensing the essential information for exemplary cancer care into one readable and accessible guide, and will be an invaluable addition to the bookshelves of the busy oncologist in training or in practice.

Everyday the NHS successfully treats over 1 million people. However there are risks and treatments can go wrong. A report by the Chief Medical Officer in 2000, ('An organisation with a memory', ISBN 0113224419) estimated that one in ten patients admitted to hospital were unintentionally harmed and that a blame culture and lack of a national system for sharing experience were key barriers to reducing the number of patient safety incidents. In Government's response included plans, timetables and targets to promote patient safety and the establishment of the National Patient Safety Agency. This report finds that insufficient progress has been made. In particular there is a question mark over the National Patient Safety Agency because of cost over-runs and delays in its National Reporting and Learning System and the limited feedback it has so far provided to trusts.

This book helps to improve the quality of the care in gynaecological practice. Improvement is driven by clinical effectiveness and increasing patient demands, and for each area of practice described this book outlines the service organization needed to achieve this improvement. The goal is to help clinicians take responsibility for developing services that meet the needs of their patients as well as managing their individual medical conditions. The book demonstrates that much can be achieved within current resources and without the need for major additional expense. Different approaches are demonstrated but the key issue is the patient pathway, with the underlying philosophy of continuous improvement in quality. Trainees, clinicians, managers and commissioners of services in obstetrics and gynaecology will find this book of immense practical value.

This handbook offers a practical, thorough approach to the clinical practice of palliative care. Adding North American authors to its roster of UK contributors, the third edition of this award-winning book addresses important changes in the evidence base of palliative care, as well as an emphasis on end-of-life community-based care. It features new chapters on dementia and advance care planning, a simplified lymphoedema discussion, and an ongoing commitment to providing essential guidance for physicians, nurses, and all primary care providers involved in palliative care in hospital, hospice, and community settings.

The 10 year NHS cancer plan, published in 2000 established 34 cancer networks in England, to lead to the improvement of cancer services in each locality. The National Audit Office investigated the plan's progress (HC 343, session 2004-05, ISBN 0102932379), and the Committee subsequently took evidence on three main issues: improving the provision of cancer services; making cancer networks work; and addressing inequalities. Increased funding is getting through to front line staff, and is being spent on new drugs, staffing and new services. But 30 per cent of the networks have no comprehensive plans for providing cancer services in their locality. Monitoring of performance against targets by the networks is inconsistent, and very necessary when faced with some demanding targets. Relationships between the networks and the primary care trust should be improved. Inequalities persist: cancer mortality rates are higher in areas of greatest deprivation, the highest mortality rates being twice the lowest across strategic health authorities. In addition, patients are diagnosed with cancer at a later stage in the UK than in other European countries, particularly in deprived areas. The networks should make clear how inequalities are to be addressed.