Tumors of the Testis, Adnexa, Spermatic Cord, and Scrotum

Abstract

By Thomas M. Ulbright, Mahul B. Amin, and Robert H. Young (Atlas of Tumor Pathology, 3rd series, fascicle 25), 385 pp, with illus, Washington, DC, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, 1999.The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) has produced its third series of fascicles with a simple mission: Produce a high-quality, practical publication promoting biologically grounded unification of the nomenclature, while providing concise histologic and clinicopathologic information for the practicing surgical pathologist. Adhering strictly to this task, Ulbright, Amin, and Young have written a succinct, well-organized, and yet thorough standard for tumors of the male genitourinary tract.Building off the second edition, published in 1973, the third edition has been expanded and improved in every way. It begins with a sweeping review of the embryology and anatomy of the male genitourinary tract. This chapter clearly defines the origins and traces the migration of the pathologically important cells, laying the basis for the rest of the volume. Schematics in this chapter and throughout the volume are easily grasped at a glance and correlate well with adjacently placed photographs.Beyond schematics, numerous charts and tables have been added or updated since the last edition. They are easily interpreted at a glance and yet are packed with information.Without a doubt, the most striking improvement on the second edition is the sheer quantity of color photographs accompanying each described disease. An extensive number of photographs go with each gross description, followed by mostly color photomicrographs and often electron photomicrographs as well. Most photographs are 10.5 × 7.5 cm and are of exceptional quality. Each photograph is shot at the appropriate magnification to demonstrate tumor architecture, nuclear detail, or both, as required to support the text. Most photographs are taken with hematoxylin-eosin staining; occasional specially stained slides highlight particular tumor nuances.Along with the high-quality photography, the text is equally impressive in its concise yet inclusive treatment of each tumor category. Each chapter is organized into pathologic tumor subheadings. Each subheading is in turn boldly subtitled as to definition of disease; gross, microscopic, and clinical features; histochemistry; differential diagnosis; and even prognosis and treatment. This format divides each monograph into a quick reference, allowing readers to choose exactly those areas to which they need to refer. At the same time, reading any monograph leads to a thorough, up-to-date study of that disease. The text is written at a level suitable for study by the first-year pathology resident and yet makes an excellent “at-hand” reference for the surgical pathology attending.Each chapter ends with an exhaustive bibliography. Most chapters contain more than 100 references, and some chapters offer as many as 300. References are cited from investigators worldwide and refer to hundreds of journals. References date as far back as 1926 and are as current as 1998, with the majority cited from the 1980s and 1990s.Ulbright, Amin, and Young have done a commendable job of writing a thorough yet concise surgical pathology standard. Expansions in monographs, improvements in photography, and simplicity in organization have made this a high-quality, practical publication in keeping with the AFIP mission. The AFIP fascicles are a “must have” for modern surgical pathology practice. Fascicle 25 is an excellent example of their quality.