Best Radiation Oncology Books

[RadOncMegatron]

What do you guys think are worthwhile books to buy for radiation oncology, including general oncology (surgical and medical)?

I think Nancy Lee's book contouring book is worthwhile and waiting for the 3rd edition to drop (unless it has an I completely missed it).

The major textbooks (ie Perez and Brady, Gunderson, etc.) are not worth it.

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[brushbeamscanning]

What do you guys think are worthwhile books to buy for radiation oncology, including general oncology (surgical and medical)?

I think Nancy Lee's book contouring book is worthwhile and waiting for the 3rd edition to drop (unless it has an I completely missed it).

The major textbooks (ie Perez and Brady, Gunderson, etc.) are not worth it.

I mean the latest version came out in 2022 and the first ed was in 2015 so it might take awhile for 3rd ed.

 

[RadOncMegatron]

Thanks, I thought I might have missed this version. It's weird b/c I have the first printing in 2013 and then the second one from 2015. This would be the third book, but only second edition? Maybe that's why I'm confused.

 

[CaesarRO]

Cleveland Clinic Books are great

 

[Chartreuse Wombat]

Books are by definition obsolete at the time of publication. Spend your money (or your department/employers money) on UpToDate and similar resources.

*Author is editor of UpTo Date and paid royalties

 

[NotMattSpraker]

Always wondered if people were still using the Lee book in the econtour era.

What is the added value?

 

[radoncftw]

Always wondered if people were still using the Lee book in the econtour era.

What is the added value?

I think her book is a little more comprehensive and provides a bit more instruction than econtour

 

[evilbooyaa]

No specific book I have personally referenced since becoming an attending....

Books not unreasonable to have on hand - essentials by CCF folks. Nancy Lee contour is maybe OK but it's relatively old so if you're doing contemporary Rad Onc it may be outdated compared to various contouring atlases that are more updated inr eal time.

 

[metallica81788]

Always wondered if people were still using the Lee book in the econtour era.

What is the added value?

Gotta have that reference to make sure you have 1cm expansions into air and soft tissue on your nasopharyngeal contours

 

[radoncftw]

Gotta have that reference to make sure you have 1cm expansions into air and soft tissue on your nasopharyngeal contours

i definitely do not follow to a tee, but it is a good reference
The crazy large expansions are not specific to old books...
Is everyone doing 2 cm expansions for GBM?

 

[Palex80]

Is everyone doing 2 cm expansions for GBM?

1.5 cm GTV-CTV margin + 3 mm CTV-PTV margin is what I do for cases with "good" prognosis (youngish, fit, resected).
There is however compelling data, that one can drop the CTV margin down to 10mm.

I generally do 5mm GTV-CTV + 3mm CTV-PTV for the ones with a worse prognosis.

 

[HolySmokes]

5mm CTV 5mm PTV for everyone based on UAB/Wake data. CTV cropped out of things like bone etc. I still do 46+14 and treat FLAIR in the initial phase for relatively good prognosis

 

[NotMattSpraker]

Gotta have that reference to make sure you have 1cm expansions into air and soft tissue on your nasopharyngeal contours

This made me laugh out loud, but I also agree its a good reference. I found this to be the best book for me in residency and on one service, she was doing a lot of the teaching 🤣

 

[Radonky]

For Gyn - Gynecologic radiation oncology a practical guide by Dr.Eifel and Klopp
For HN - Head and Neck Cancer - A multidisciplinary approach - Dr.Harrison. Nancy Lee book is good for HN contouring guide, but everyone will have stylistic differences.

For basics - Essentials of clinical radiation oncology (aka red book)

I don't like Perez/brady or Gunderson. But I do have the first editions of both for fun, to see how to OG's did it

 

[fiji128]

The first edition of the Lee book is excellent for the head and neck stuff. Very helpful to review when you get cases that you might not be treating very often just to make sure you are thinking about everything that needs to be considered. The non head and neck chapters are pretty hit or miss otherwise. The second edition of the Lee book went through an extensive rewrite with the head and neck chapters shrunk down to the bare minimum and some of the previous chapters even omitted. I have found it not to be helpful/useful at all.

 

[taserlaser]

The first edition of the Lee book is excellent for the head and neck stuff. Very helpful to review when you get cases that you might not be treating very often just to make sure you are thinking about everything that needs to be considered. The non head and neck chapters are pretty hit or miss otherwise. The second edition of the Lee book went through an extensive rewrite with the head and neck chapters shrunk down to the bare minimum and some of the previous chapters even omitted. I have found it not to be helpful/useful at all.

Oh interesting. I haven’t seen the first edition - I would be curious to track a copy down to read.

 

[RadOncMegatron]

The first edition of the Lee book is excellent for the head and neck stuff. Very helpful to review when you get cases that you might not be treating very often just to make sure you are thinking about everything that needs to be considered. The non head and neck chapters are pretty hit or miss otherwise. The second edition of the Lee book went through an extensive rewrite with the head and neck chapters shrunk down to the bare minimum and some of the previous chapters even omitted. I have found it not to be helpful/useful at all.

I thought this one was very skimpy as well. Disappointed.

 

[Guine1951]

No specific book I have personally referenced since becoming an attending....
For those still in medical school or residency, I highly recommend investing in a solid textbook on radiation oncology. This will provide a foundational understanding of the principles, techniques, and clinical applications of the field. Additionally, I encourage you to take advantage of online resources such as the one you'll find here , I found such platforms invaluable during my training.
Books not unreasonable to have on hand - essentials by CCF folks. Nancy Lee contour is maybe OK but it's relatively old so if you're doing contemporary Rad Onc it may be outdated compared to various contouring atlases that are more updated inr eal time.

You nailed it! This is the perfect answer.

 

[Radiated_GuineaPig]

I'm curious how do people feel about the MD Anderson handbook from pocket oncology series. I for one am a huge fan and the 2nd edition was just released.

Amazon product ASIN 1975218949

 

[IonsAreOurFuture]

I'm curious how do people feel about the MD Anderson handbook from pocket oncology series. I for one am a huge fan and the 2nd edition was just released.

Amazon product ASIN 1975218949

I am impressed how much info they crammed into that pocketbook. One of the Amazon reviews said don't buy the hard copy version unless you like reading 6 to 8 point font. Maybe that was the first edition though