I am delighted to write a foreword for the Textbook of Pancreatic Cancer: Principles
and Practice of Surgical Oncology.
The field of pancreatic surgical oncology has undergone a resurgence in recent
years with the improvements in peri-operative care, advances in operative techniques, coupled with improved understanding of the biology of pancreatic cancer.
Professors Søreide and Stättner are to be acknowledged for bringing many of the
leading experts in the field from throughout the world to produce a contemporary
textbook dealing with the various aspects of pancreatic surgical oncology.
The text is comprehensive, covering the whole spectrum of pancreatic cancer
from epidemiology, anatomy of the pancreas, disease burden, biology, diagnosis
and staging, therapeutic options, surgical techniques, perioperative care, outcomes,
and palliative care. The topics are dealt with in a clear and concise manner. The
information presented is up-to-date and useful for both the novice and experienced
practitioners.
Addressing the needs of the trainee for a comprehensive textbook on pancreatic
cancer in preparation for specialty board examinations, as well as being a suitable
reference text for established surgeons who are interested in pancreatic surgical
oncology is a difficult assignment. However, I believe that the editors have succeed
in this task.
Unlike other texts that deal solely with pathophysiology, this book in addition
highlights many of the other controversial issues that are involved in the delivery of
pancreatic cancer care such as training, measurement of quality, regionalization,
and influences of oncopolitics. This adds to the overall value of the textbook.
Again, the editors are to be congratulated for bringing to fruition this valuable
addition to the surgical literature.
Kevin C. Conlon,
European-African Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (E-AHPBA)
Glasgow, UK