two textbooks in A.P.

[JinyongWuxia]

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Hi there,

could you tell me which book you think is better and why? thanks.

JW

Silverberg "Principles and Practice of Surgical Pathology and cytopathology" 3rd edition 1997

Sternberg "Diagnostic Surgical Pathology" 3rd edition 1999

 

[Doctor B.]

I've only used Sternberg as it is the standard surg path text we use in our residency. It is a good book providing general coverage of surgical pathology. Some sections are necessarily superficial, such as derm, because to cover such sections in the proper depth requires a 1000 + page book like Wheedon's.

 

[yaah]

There are a few options - The Silverberg is older, and I tend to be wary of something more than 5 years old because of the rapid increase in knowledge, etc. It also has three volumes if I am not mistaken. I do think, however, that it has a lot more info on cytology than some of the others. The Sternberg seems to be the favorite of many. There are also at least two others - Rosai (aka Ackerman's) which is scheduled to have a new edition come out this february I believe. And also a newer one called Modern Surgical Path by Weidner et al which seems to be pretty well organized, has lots of great pictures, and comes with a CDrom with more pictures. A lot of people like Rosai because it is a bit easier to read, mostly written by one author, and has wonderful explanations of things (i.e., it tends to not only go into detail about things but also explains the basics quite well). I would imagine you can't really go wrong with any of them, because most programs have all 4 lying around, the one that is used most often is the one with the most local authors. They are all at least 2 volumes and quite expensive. I suggest you go to a good library that has these books and browse through them and see which style you like the best. Might also want to check out the early chapters as there are some in each on general surg path techniques and procedures. Rosai also has a grossing guide in the back of volume 2 which some consider definitive, although it is somewhat brief.

matt
umass ms iv

 

[Mindy]

I just bought "differential diagnosis in surgical pathology" (or something like it) for 125 bucks. My first "residency" book. What are people's thoughts on that?

Rosai and Sternberg are BOTH due for new additions in 2003, which definitely makes me want to hold off buying them.

What other books are helpful to a new resident?

Mindy

 

[Doctor B.]

Differential Diagnosis in Sugrical Pathology by Haber, et al is an excellent book. It's a great supplement to the longer texts (i.e.- Sternberg/Ackerman/etc) and wonderful for looking up a quick differential or preparing for a slide conference. I keep it by the scope when looking at slides; I think it helps a lot.

Big Robbins is a good place to start. It reviews all the stuff we were *supposed* to have learned in medical school 🙂. I also liked Wheater's Basic Histology and Basic Histopathology. Again, these are good books for the basics of normal and abnormal histology. Sternberg's Histology for Pathologists is also a good book.

From a CP perspective, Clinical Laboratory Pearls by Steve Jones is a good resource. It's also good for call issues. Henry, the huge CP text, is a good reference but a bore to read.

Another couple books I like are Kjeldsberg's Practical Diagnosis of Hematologic Disorders and Outlines in Pathology by Sinard. I have been told by Heme staff that if you read and know Kjeldsberg, you will do fine for heme on boards.

Hope that helped.

 

[path1]

As a PGY-1 path resident, i can say that rosai is my favorite. Unfortunetly, I purchased sternber, which is an excellent comprehansive text, but it talks way over me. I think as a PGY-3/4 it would be perfect, but when i try reading it there are several aspects that discourage me:

1. With sternberg there are multiple authors, there is no one cohesive voice and the tones are different for the chapters

2. the book assumes you have a pretty good background/jargon of the field and talks over you as if you're a PGY-3, which is extremely frustrating as a first year. At times i'm left more confused.

3. There is no general intro/appendix. Rosai has a general intro, appendix on how to gross/how to write reports, sternberg just delves straight into the facts.

4. Rosai is just plain easier to read. With sternberg, at times i feel i'm in class again zoning out.

My only problem with the old rosai (8th edition) is that many photos are black and white, a no-no for path! I think rosai is due to come out in either Feb - April 2004 with all new photos in color, new chapters on molecular bio/immunohistochemistry/more appendix etc. Can't wait.

Also, good are Lesters Manuel of Surgical Path and the Differential Diagnosis. If i had to recomend books for AP, it would be these: Rosai, Lester and The differential diagnosis. That's all you need, stick with them. Make them your bible, read them from cover to cover.

 

[Doctor B.]

I agree, path 1. Sternberg is good but the chapter quality is variable b/c of the different authorship. Trust me, as a first year, I felt exactly the same way about Sternberg but as a second year now, Sternberg makes much more sense.

I forgot about Lester. It is an excellent book as well.

I'm going to check out Rosai based on your observations. I've been looking for a better alternative to Sternberg.