Modern Cytopathology

Geisinger K, Stanley M, Raab S, Silverman J, Abati A, 960 pp, Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, UK, 2004 ($ 279)

This new multiauthored textbook of cytopathology covers all the main aspects of diagnostic exfoliative and aspiration cytology.

The text is well written, provides up-to-date information and is replete with lavish illustrations. Although the text is written by five authors, it is structured in a uniform manner with an emphasis on a practical approach to diagnosis throughout each chapter. The combined experience of the five authors, who are well known in their field, enhances the value of the book.

The text has 29 chapters; eight chapters are dedicated to cover gynecologic cytology, which is an important part of cytology, starting from normal going to the unusual malignancies.

It is comprehensive yet user-friendly. The remaining chapters cover other organ systems.

This text could serve both the beginners and more advanced practitioners. The beginners could learn about the basic technique in performing fine-needle aspiration, preparing the slides, and the types of cytologic samples, and those with experience facing difficult diagnostic dilemma. The essential cytomorphologic features are introduced in the form of tables covering both common and infrequent diseases. The figure legends are detailed, and the figures and legends have been designed so that they can stand by themselves or can be used in addition to the text of a chapter. For advanced and more experienced readers, the book describes ancillary techniques, including immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, flow cytometry, cytogenetics, and additional molecular biological tests. As the title implies, it is really a modern cytopathology.

This text is recommended to cytotechnicians, pathology residents, cytology fellows, and practising cytopathologists.