McKee GT:

Cytopathology of the Breast, 312 pp, New York, Oxford University Press, 2002 ($172.00)

Breast cytopathology is a field of diagnostic pathology that has developed most rapidly during the past 10 years. Fine needle aspiration of breast has its established role as a diagnostic tool. It is truly “visually pleasing and diagnostically satisfying,” if everything is done right.

This book is a valuable addition to several already existing books and chapters dealing with breast cytopathology. It contains 16 chapters covering all aspects of breast cytology, including normal breast, non-neoplastic lesions, neoplastic lesions, male breast lesions, and nipple cytology. The prognostic markers are discussed in the last chapter. Cytological features in each category are described in detail. A summary of cytological features under each topic, along with the tables, are features to be found most useful by practicing pathologists. Pitfalls in each diagnostic category also are discussed. The histology and cytology illustrations are full and in color; most are of high quality. Only a few cytology pictures are suboptimal, partly due to the three-dimensional nature of cytology specimens, which are difficult to photograph at high magnification.

I also liked the format. It has the size of a handbook. It should serve well to the residents, fellows, and pathologists in practice who deal with breast cytopathology.