Although not large in content, this monograph is large in purpose; it attempts to cover five fields that relate to the laboratory diagnosis of cancer. In just 97 pages (including 29 pages of references), the reader is briefed on chromosomal, chemical, immunological, histological, and physical methods available in the presumptive diagnosis of cancer.
The major advantage of this book is the excellent bibliography with appropriate review articles cited at the end of each chapter. The lack of depth in any single topic and rather uneven coverage of subjects are principal drawbacks. As with any text dealing with fields of vigorous activity, subject matter may become dated rapidly. This has occurred with the material on Australia antigen.
This book may be of some value to the clinician wishing a short statement concerning the present position of a given laboratory test as it is related to the diagnosis of cancer. Usually a