Cancer Chemotherapy: An Introduction
January 1989
Studysummary This paper reviews the principles and challenges of cytotoxic drug therapy in cancer treatment, including effects on normal tissues, drug resistance, administration methods, and the clinical role of chemotherapy, without reporting new experimental results.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
In 1977, Terry J. Priestman's book "Cancer Chemotherapy: an Introduction" provided a comprehensive overview of the drug treatment of cancer. The book was revised and rewritten to include developments in cancer chemotherapy over the previous decade. Two new chapters were introduced, one on the safe handling of cytotoxic drugs and the other on biological response modifiers. The book also discussed the effects of cytotoxic drugs on normal tissues, the pharmacology of these drugs, the rationale of cytotoxic drug therapy, the management of side effects, and resistance to cytotoxic drugs. Despite advancements, the book acknowledged that the promise of drug treatment during the 1960s and 1970s had not been fully realized.
