Metka Volavsek – Head and Neck Pathology (2016)

Описание

The purpose of this publication is to supplement the already exploding medical
literature by a reference work. Why? The publisher recognized the need of
medical public for a comprehensive work incorporating not all, but the most
relevant information on practically every possible entity known/described, an
encyclopedia. Such major reference work would be an educational reading for
general, nonspecialized medical public, as well as interesting and helpful for
scientists in pathology, providing enough supplementary information needed
for their research.
For me, it all began in December 2007, when a group of internationally
renowned experts received invitation from Prof. J.H.J.M. van Krieken and
representatives of Springer Verlag to meet at the Frankfurt Airport and discuss
about possible collaboration. At the end of the day, although knowing this is
going to take a lot of dedication and hard work, while at the other side
recognizing the significance of such a publication, I was a part of the team.
Head and Neck Pathology contains majority of entities characteristic for, or
represented in, specific organs/anatomical structures of the head and neck
region, namely larynx/hypopharynx, oral cavity/oropharynx, nose/paranasal
sinuses, ear and salivary glands, as well as neck. Anatomy of these structures is
also included. The separated specific oral and dental diseases are contents
Dental and Oral Pathology (edited by Prof. Pieter Slootweg). Thyroid and
parathyroid glands as well as specific diseases of lymph nodes will be included
in other volumes.
All entries have been written by pathologists with special interest or
expertise in the field, mostly internationally recognized authorities. The majority
of the entries are representing different diseases/tumors. All entries have
specific structure including: Synonyms, Definition, Clinical Features (Incidence,
Age, Sex, Site, Treatment and Outcome). Most important for pathologists,
used to relying on eyes, whether naked or with help of the microscope,
obligatory contents of each entry are macroscopy and microscopy,
supplemented by immunophenotype. Molecular features (when known) are
included, as well as most important differential diagnoses. When possible,
differential diagnoses are linked to other entities for cross referencing in the
electronic version of the same or other volumes of the Encyclopedia. There are
many illustrative photographs. Majority of them are originals and only exceptionally
permissions from other authors have been needed. As entries include
confirmed knowledge, the number of references is limited.
The comprehensive entries describing anatomy and normal histology of
different organs include tables listing important diseases of the particular
organ, with links to the respective entities.
Specific surgical procedures, such as maxillectomy or neck dissection are
also included, with detailed information on specimen handling and numerous
illustrative photographs.
Somehow specific naming of the entries (titles) has been done on purpose,
with intention of having, for instance, all types of squamous cell carcinoma or
sinonasal papilloma “nearby.” So, the reader could more easily locate entities
with similar names inside the same volume as well as among other volumes of
the Encyclopedia.
The invitation by Prof. J.H.J.M. van Krieken to edit this volume of the
Encyclopedia has been a great honor for me. In addition to him recognizing me
as an expert in the field, it meant also that he was confident I am persistent
enough to carry on and have the work done. It gave me the opportunity to have
the privilege and pleasure to work directly with more than 28 internationally
recognized authorities in the field of head and neck pathology across Europe
and the United States, many of whom in the meantime became friends from
mere acquaintances or strangers. And I am grateful for that, too. Everyone,
including supporting team at Springer, has done her/his best. It really has been
a pleasure to work with you all – many thanks to each and all of you.
We realize that in the process of compiling this work some new entities
emerged, which will probably be included in the new WHO classification of
head and neck tumors and will surely deserve to be included in the updated
versions of this volume. In the near past, we have also witnessed some new
exciting developments in the understanding of disease mechanisms or identifications
of new tumor markers, which will have to be incorporated in the new
updated versions.We all are aware that in the ever changing field of pathology,
everything has a chance to be at least partly outdated at the time of publication
and that such publications as the Encyclopedia of Pathology are always work
in progress.
Dear readers, we encourage you to discuss the entries with me and with
other authors and suggest possible improvements, so that we can make this
work even more comprehensive and valuable for your everyday practice