This excellent book consists of 11 chapters, each one written by a surgeon, medical oncologist and radiation oncologist. It offers a comprehensive account of head and neck cancer, including relevant anatomy, staging and treatment (including brief but succinct operative details), every aspect of which is properly sourced and referenced according to the latest literature. At the end of every chapter are case studies, in an attempt to describe some of the challenges head and neck clinicians face in everyday practice. There are well drawn diagrams and figures as well as numerous clinical photographs (sadly, not all are in colour which limits their effectiveness somewhat).

The chapters are divided into each subsite of head and neck cancer, including skin, thyroid and cancers of unknown origin. There then follows a systematic description of the key features of each cancer, epidemiology, anatomy, presentation, staging, treatment and, finally, case studies. Most of the chapters include an up-to-date literature review (especially the very impressive chapter on hypopharyngeal cancer) which allows the reader to gain an insight into the many controversies which exist regarding managing patients with head and neck cancer, in contrast to the often didactic teaching of other textbooks.

The authors have written the book with both oncologists and surgeons in mind. The result is a well written, thoroughly referenced, short textbook which covers almost every aspect of head and neck cancer in a methodical, easy to read way which will appeal to trainees and consultants in both disciplines.