Paul H. Sugarbaker, MD (Editor)
Washington Cancer Institute, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, USA

Russel N. Low (Editor)
Department of Radiology, Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA

Series: New Developments in Medical Research
BISAC: MED080000

Peritoneal metastases continue to be a potentially lethal manifestation of gastrointestinal and gynecologic malignancy. In the past little if any treatments except systemic chemotherapy were available. Outcomes of treatment were poor and were routinely regarded as palliative. This dismal outlook has gradually changed as a result of two technical innovations: 1) Cytoreductive surgery with peritonectomy procedures and visceral resections and 2) Perioperative intraperitoneal and systemic chemotherapy. At this time approximately 2000 peritoneal oncology centers are active around the globe.

With prevention and treatment of peritoneal metastases a reality the traditional role of the radiologist to characterize the malignancy is mandatory for knowledgeable management. We have discovered that the radiologic description of peritoneal metastases is challenging, to say the least.

Progress has occurred. In our Pictorial Essays on Peritoneal Metastases Imaging: CT, MRI and PET-CT our radiologists have gathered together an abundance of information. Our book has established a role of the radiologist as an essential part of multidisciplinary management of a common and complex clinical problem. No longer is the radiologist’s role only to determine if peritoneal metastases are absent versus present. The best technology or combinations of technology as CT, MRI or PET-CT must be selected. Not only a diagnosis of peritoneal metastases but extent and distribution of disease is required. The oncologist and surgeon need to know the likelihood of success with treatment. For primary cancer identification of patients at high risk for local-regional recurrence allows special treatments to be utilized before treatment failure occurs. If recurrent disease is suspect, the radiologist may interpret its causation and describe the interventions required to treat or suggest only palliation. The associated features of peritoneal metastases such as ascites or lymphadenopathy must be interpreted. The report must be complete with all information required by the clinician. Finally, the knowledgeable quantitation of concerning radiologic features can have profound prognostic implications. There is a large amount of information in this book that is not available anywhere else. Our book fills a large GAP in the management of gastrointestinal and gynecologic cancer.

Our book not only verbally describes the images of peritoneal metastases, it shows them in carefully selected radiographs. The figures, figure legends and text allow the findings to be interpreted so they are clinically relevant. The images become a visible guide to construct a management plan. The radiologist’s accurate description of peritoneal metastases is difficult at best, sometimes impossible, but comprehensively presented in this book. If one is interested in peritoneal metastases, the Pictorial Essays on Peritoneal Metastases Imaging: CT, MRI and PET-CT is a required addition to the personal library.
(Imprint: Nova Medicine and Health)