Decision Making in Oncology [antikvár]

Preface The primary aim of this book is to outline diagnostic and treatment strategies for medical oncology based on the supporting evidence that exists in the literature. This aim was realized by (1) considering the key reasoning strategies for the management of a particular cancer; (2) establishing the goal of the treatment as a leading reasoning principle; (3) grading the quality of supporting evidence for the recommended strategies; (4) assessing the risk/benefit ratio of available treatment options; and (5) providing practical physicians' orders in the appendices. We have elected to use algorithms as the major teaching tool. The text that accompanies the algorithms explains the principles behind their construction, lists the quality of data used to support the recommendations, and provides additional key clinical information. To construct these algorithms, an enormous amount of clinical literature has been reviewed. We have cited key references at the end of each chapter, and apologize if we have inadvertently overlooked any important references. This book is intended for everyone who deals with the patient suffering from cancer: students, residents, fellows, generál internists, surgeons, and radiation and medical oncologists. Students and residents can learn essential principles behind many practical decisions, while practicing physicians may find useful explicit recommendations on how to deal with a particular oncologic problem. As medical oncology is a dynamic field, we would be grateful for any advice, comments or criticism so that any potential future edition of this text can live up to the expectations of its readers. No humán endeavor, including the writing of a book, is an isolated experience. We would like to thank our contributors, who have made their best effort to comply with our often excessive requests concerning the contents and formát of their chapters. Ms. Katrina Morris deserves special thanks for providing us with the necessary resources when we needed them most. Many other people helped in the creation of the manuscripts in indirect ways, and we take this opportunity to thank them. For further details on the aim and scope of the book, the reader is referred to the Introduction and Chapter 1. Benjámin Djulbegovic, M.D., Ph.D. Dániel M. Suliivan, M.D.