Pathology books

Pathology books are numerous. Some are good... many are crap. This article reviews some of 'em.

Robbins and Cotran pathologic basis of disease

This the standard reference for pathology residents. It covers the bread & butter. Often referred to as Robbins.

Pros

• It is the standard work... everyone refers to it.
• You can't really go wrong if you're quoting Robbins.

Cons

• Very wordy. Not particularly practical --when you're sitting in front of the microscope.
• Very US-centric.

Reference

Cotran, Ramzi S.; Kumar, Vinay; Fausto, Nelson; Nelso Fausto; Robbins, Stanley L.; Abbas, Abul K. (2005). Robbins and Cotran pathologic basis of disease (7th ed.). St. Louis, Mo: Elsevier Saunders. ISBN 0-7216-0187-1.

Kumar, Vinay; Abbas, Abul K.; Fausto, Nelson; Aster, Jon (2009). Robbins and Cotran pathologic basis of disease (8th ed.). Elsevier Saunders. ISBN 978-1416031215.

Practice of Surgical Pathology

Pros

• Probably the best book for beginners. It covers basic things many others ignore, but are essential.

Cons

• It lacks a few basic things... though this may be excused as it is an introductory book.

Reference

Weedman Molavi, Diana (2008). The Practice of Surgical Pathology: A Beginner's Guide to the Diagnostic Process (1st ed.). Springer. ISBN 978-0387744858.

Diagnostic Criteria Handbook in Histopathology

A relatively short, point-form book that covers most of pathology.

Pros

• It covers most things.

Cons

• The abbreviations are annoying.

Reference

Tadrous, Paul.J. Diagnostic Criteria Handbook in Histopathology: A Surgical Pathology Vade Mecum (1st ed.). Wiley. ISBN 978-0470519035.

Manual of Surgical Pathology (Lester)

Pros

• A great reference for grossing. It covers pretty much everything.
• The first edition had great tables summarizing IHC.

Cons

• The style suggested, for grossing, is wordy.
• Checklists, IMHO, would be better.

Reference

Lester, Susan Carole (2005). Manual of Surgical Pathology (2nd ed.). Saunders. ISBN 978-0443066450.

Washington Manual of Surgical Pathology

Pros

• This is one of my favourite books and not very expensive.
• It is to the point.

Cons

• Nice images (in the book) are missing.

Reference

Humphrey, Peter A; Dehner, Louis P; Pfeifer, John D (2008). The Washington Manual of Surgical Pathology (1st ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 978-0781765275.

Handbook of Forensic Pathology

The best short reference book about forensic pathology.

Pros

• Point form.
• Short.

References

DiMaio, Vincent J.M.; Dana, Suzanna E. (2006). Handbook of Forensic Pathology (2nd ed.). CRC Press. ISBN 978-0849392870.

Pathology Recall

• Recommended by J.H.

Pros

• Covers the very basics... one saw in medical school.

Cons

• Really only covers the stuff from medical school.
• Written by non-pathology residents and reviewed by a staff pathologists.

Pathology Secrets

• Recommended by J.H.
• M.S. thinks it isn't a good investment.

Anatomic pathology board review

• Written for pathology residents studying for the US board exam.
• Consists of multiple choice questions with answers and explanations.

Pros

• Covers pretty much everything.

Cons

• Emphasis on lots of nitty gritty... possibly not so useful for the FRCPC exam.

Reference

Lefkowitch, Jay H. (2006). Anatomic Pathology Board Review (1st ed.). Saunders. ISBN 978-1416025887.

Foundation series

General

Pros

• Nice summary boxes.
• Most pictures are high quality.

Cons

• Few summary tables.
• No overview provided - these books are good if one already has a DDx... not very useful if one is swimming about as a PGY-2.
• Expensive.

Individual books in the series

GI

• Missing a significant number of important entities.

Gyne

• Uses endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN) instead of the WHO classification.

References

O'Malley, Frances P.; Pinder, Sarah E. (2006). Breast Pathology: A Volume in Foundations in Diagnostic Pathology series (1st ed.). Churchill Livingstone. ISBN 978-0443066801.

Iacobuzio-Donahue, Christine A.; Montgomery, Elizabeth A. (2005). Gastrointestinal and Liver Pathology: A Volume in the Foundations in Diagnostic Pathology Series (1st ed.). Churchill Livingstone. ISBN 978-0443066573.

Nucci, Marisa R.; Oliva, Esther (2009). Gynecologic Pathology: A Volume in Foundations in Diagnostic Pathology Series (1st ed.). Churchill Livingstone. ISBN 978-0443069208.

Zhou, Ming; Magi-Galluzzi, Cristina (2006). Genitourinary Pathology: A Volume in Foundations in Diagnostic Pathology Series (1st ed.). Churchill Livingstone. ISBN 978-0443066771.

See also

• Basics.
• Pathology links.