TREATMENT OF BREAST TUMORS

ByRobert S. Pollack '38. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1958. 147 pp.

The medical sciences produce daily such a wealth of information and opinion that much can never reach the reader for whom it was intended. This paradox, that as means of communication improve, effectiveness lessens, is one reason why there is variation in the approach to common problems in medicine and surgery across a country which, though large, speaks a common language and can be crossed in a few hours. It is certainly a reason to prompt the physician or surgeon to visit other localities in order to learn how his fellow practitioners behave and why.

Unfortunately, few can devote much time to such travel and a monograph which outlines with clarity and thoughtfulness the how and why of a particular field of treatment is important to those everywhere facing common problems. Treatment of Breast Tumors by Robert S. Pollack '38 is such a monograph. It is the expression, in a brief, well-illustrated hundred and fifty pages, of the therapy in this special field as conducted by Dr. Pollack and his associates on the faculties of the Schools of Medicine of Stanford University and the University of California. The significant contributions of thousands of pages scattered through medical literature are well condensed in this book. There is excellent documentation which provides a fair survey of the leading articles dealing with the subject and supports the statements of policy of the author and his associates, policy which will appear sound to almost all critics.

The conciseness and readability of the book are excellent and exceed anything else in the field. For these reasons it will be of value not only to medical students and those more advanced in their training, but to all practicing physicians and surgeons concerned with this common field of medical care. The book cannot be too highly recommended to these potential readers.