Clement PB Young RH:

Atlas of Gynecologic Surgical Pathology, 360 pp, Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders, 2000 ($199.00).

Clement and Young, two well-known leaders in the field of gynecologic pathology have authored an outstanding book. This atlas is a valuable and timely addition to the popular series of pathology atlases published by Saunders.

The book is comprehensive and covers all major entities of gynecologic pathology, except placenta. It is composed of 20 chapters organized by site within the female genital tract and peritoneum. Gynecologic neoplasia receives more space than non-neoplastic diseases, but these are included as well. In a clear, well-organized, and authoritative manner, the book provides most of what the pathologist needs to know about gynecologic diseases. The main emphasis of this atlas is on the histopathologic diagnostic aspect of the neoplastic and pseudoneoplastic diseases. The editors gave readers good exposure to the different tumors in the particular organ, the histologic classification, criteria for diagnosis, and a large number of diagnostic, prognostic, and genetic biomarkers specific for that tumor. The text, even though brief, is quite informative and instructive. The differential diagnosis is discussed masterfully, providing valuable guidance to solving complex diagnostic problems. As expected in an atlas, the illustrations, most of which are in color, are of high quality and adequately labeled. The book is easy to navigate through and is logical in its layout with a complete list of up-to-date references. A personal delight is the final sections of the book, devoted to pattern-based approach to ovarian tumors and to the one for tumors with functioning stroma.

We have used the book in daily surgical pathology practice, and we found it very informative and entertaining. It is especially convenient that the text is in outline format with “bullets,” allowing one to quickly grasp the most important points, essential for the diagnosis.

Although there are currently many textbooks of gynecologic pathology, this atlas provides a unique point of view and deserves to be included in the library of each pathologist. I found this book to be a must-have for pathology residents, fellows, and practicing pathologists. It also should be on the short list of assigned reading for gynecologists and gynecology residents preparing for their specialty Board examinations or during their rotations in surgical pathology.