Book Reviews

doi:10.1016/j.clon.2005.08.008

Oral Care in Advanced Disease. EditedbyA.Davies and I.Finlay,Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2005. 221 pp. Price £39.95,Hardback. ISBN 0192632434.

This concise text aims to provide a detailed review of oral care forpatients with advanced illnesses including, as one would expect,systemic and head and neck cancers, but also other conditionsincluding HIV/AIDS and chronic neurological problems. It isdescribed as providing ‘comprehensive, clinically relevant, evi-dence-based guidelines’, being directed at a broad audience ofmultidisciplinary team members.In many respects it admirably achieves these objectives, and

while by necessity in a volume of this size, much of the informa-tion is briefly presented, the incorporation of relevant, up-to-datelists of references for each chapter directs the reader seekinggreater detail to appropriate sources. Similarly, carefully chosentables and figures summarise information effectively throughoutthe book. It is a useful resource for clinicians and carers acrossthe multidisciplinary team, and all will find practical informa-tion on this important aspect of patient care within its pages.Numerous international expert authors contribute, enhancing

the breadth of information provided, with remarkably little repeti-tiond the only instances of this being in relation to aspects of oralassessment and hygiene in early chapters which are duplicatedin the otherwise excellent chapter on oral complications ofcancer treatment.The book carries through a number of important common

themes, particularly the importance of team working and commu-nication, high-quality but low-maintenance care, and the need forprevention wherever possible.If criticisms are to be found, these would include the choice of

presentation of photographic illustrations. In a modern-day text onoral disease, the use of black-and-white photographs which failto adequately show fine differences in mucosal appearance is oflimited value, especially so when they are mostly duplicated incolour elsewhere in the book!Similarly, while recognising the need to incorporate sections on

oral infections in a text of this sort, the unnecessary microbiolog-ical detail in certain chapters was in contrast to the broader over-views achieved through much of the remainder of the text.These criticisms aside, this book is a welcome addition to the

reference library and a useful resource for all who are involvedin the care of those with cancer or other long-term conditions,highlighting as it does the importance and value of appropriateoral care in the management of such patients and its contributionto enhanced quality of life.

STEWART C. BARCLAY

doi:10.1016/j.clon.2005.08.010

Nerve Blocks in Palliative Care. Edited by Fiona Hicks andKaren H. Simpson, Oxford Medical Press, US, 2004. 135 pp. Price£19.95, Paperback. ISBN 0-19-852703-9.

This is an excellent user-friendly book. It is handbook size, andit provides fundamental ideas in a clear, readable format. Thereare multiple illustrations, and useful bullet point lists. The booksets the right philosophy in helping the clinician understandthe procedures/interventions for the often complex palliativepatient.The early chapters describe assessment of patients and

their pains. The latter part of the book is devoted to interven-tions/techniques. Each chapter is threaded through with insightsfrom clinical experience. The authors have a truly holistic approachto the palliative patient. This book is an excellent resource forany practitioner who manages patients with cancer-related pain.

LISA BAKER

Clinical Oncology (2006) 18: 92

doi:10.1016/j.clon.2005.08.009

Supportive Care in Respiratory Disease. Edited by Sam H.Ahmedzai and Martin F. Muers, Oxford University Press, Oxford,2005. 568 pp. Price £69.95, Hardback. ISBN 0-19-263141-1.

This book is part of the Supportive Care Series published by OxfordUniversity Press. Its editors have a wealth of experience in re-spiratory medicine, lung cancer, and palliative care. Contributing

0936-6555/05/000000C01 $35.00/0 � 2005 The R

authors are from all over the world, and from various relevantdisciplines.The supportive care approach aims to give multidisciplinary and

holistic care to patients and their families from the time of diag-nosis, through treatment and into the palliative terminal phaseof their disease. Respiratory symptoms are very common, whetheras a direct manifestation of a disease process or as a comorbid ill-ness. This book is therefore of interest to many clinicians outwithrespiratory medicine, particularly those treating patients with ma-lignant disease, on which there is significant emphasis.Part 1 of the book clearly sets out the concept of supportive care

and provides a very useful review of the philosophy of palliativetreatment. It then devotes several chapters to updating the readeron important background topics such as anatomy, physiology andassessment of quality of life. Parts 2, 3 and 4 are given to an in-depth analysis of dyspnoea. Issues for patients with malignantand non-malignant disease are well covered. The book does notattempt to provide a detailed treatment manual for all diseases,but is well referenced for those requiring further reading.There are comprehensive sections on cough, haemoptysis

(Part 5) and pain (Part 6). The concluding section deals with thespecific topics of malignant disease, HIV and tuberculosis (Part 7).The format of the book is reader-friendly, with clear structure

and concise chapter lengths. In the main, the tables and figuresare clearly labelled and presented. The photographic images areblack and white, some being indistinct, but fortunately are not cru-cial to the discussion.Overall I found this a very enjoyable and informative read. The

balance between chapters dealing with mechanisms of symptomsand disease and supportive management chapters is appropriate.In today’s medical world, we all have to become experts on increas-ingly narrow areas of practice, and this broader view is a very wel-come refresher on important issues which arise on an almost dailybasis. The concept of supportive care is a very good one and meritsour attention. I recommend this book as a first step to renewing yourapproach to this important aspect of medical practice.

ANN WARD

oyal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.