From the reviews:
"...this compendium of current thinking is recommended reading for anyone with an interest in pigmentation and cancer and a valuable resource for any library." -Melanoma Research
"This book, the first of its kind on melanoma, details the current state of our knowledge … . should be viewed as an important resource for understanding the broad field of melanocyte and melanoma biology. Newcomers to the field … will find this book extremely useful. … This book captures the tremendous progress made in the field … . It is a valuable resource for biologists and basic scientists … as well as for pathologists; dermatologists, surgeons, and medical oncologists … ." (Lynn M. Schuchter, The New England Journal of Medicine, March, 2007)
"...captures the tremendous progress made in the field...will help to propel the field to new successes...a valuable resource for biologists and basic scientists interested in the biology of pigment cells as well as for pathologists, dermatologists, surgeons, and medical oncologists interested in the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma." -New England Journal of Medicine
"The editors have compiled a highly prestigious group of authors, who are leaders in the field of melanocyte and melanoma research, to present a very comprehensive exposition of the current knowledge of melanocyte biology and melanoma. … As a clinical researcher, I found … it fascinating, yielding a tremendous appreciation for the meticulous and extensive work that has been done to date, some of which has and more of which will very likely provide leads to clinical interventions." (Janice P. Dutcher, Medical Oncology, Vol. 23 (3), 2006)
"An extremely detailed book on each of the various pathways, growth factors, and oncogenes affecting the melanocyte. This is a comprehensive review and … physicians such as dermatologists, pathologists, and oncologists will find it helpful. It is very thorough in itspresentation of cellular events … . This book will serve primarily as a reference for basic scientists and biologists. Physician scientists will also use the book. Clinicians may find the book highly detailed, with more information then they require." (Mary C. Martini, Doody’s Review Service, July, 2006)
Reviewer: Mary C. Martini, MA, MD (Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine)
Description: The transformation of benign melanocytes to melanoma has been extensively studied and scientists are only beginning to elucidate the cellular pathways leading to oncogenesis. This is a comprehensive review of the currently known biology of these events.
Purpose: The incidence of melanoma is rising and it is the leading cause of cancer deaths in adults 20-30 years of age. In view of this, much emphasis is on the cellular pathways leading the melanocyte to malignant transformation. This book includes chapters written by leading scientists on their special area of study. The result is an extremely detailed book on each of the various pathways, growth factors, and oncogenes affecting the melanocyte.
Audience: This is a comprehensive review and the preface states that it is aimed primarily at scientists, but other physicians such as dermatologists, pathologists, and oncologists will find it helpful. It is very thorough in its presentation of cellular events and it will serve as a reference for basic scientists. Physicians who may find this useful are those who wish to understand the cellular mechanisms involved in their patients' malignant disease.
Features: Early chapters deal with melanocyte biology, growth factors, and signaling pathways. After an exhaustive review of these pathways, later chapters deal with oncogenesis and its effects on apoptosis and cell cycle kinetics. The final chapters discuss melanoma metastasis. One detailed chapter covers aggressive melanomas that display vasculogenic mimicry that aid in tumor growth and dissemination.
Assessment: This book will serve primarily as a reference for basic scientists and biologists. Physician scientists will also use the book. Clinicians may find the book highly detailed, with more information then they require.