Pathology books

Pathology books are numerous, and still found at almost every pathology conference. Some are good... many leave much to be desired. This article reviews some of them.

A book. (WC/Ex Bibliotheca Gymnasii Altonani)

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

Kumar, Vinay; Abbas, Abul K.; Aster, Jon (2014). Robbins and Cotran pathologic basis of disease (9th ed.). Saunders. ISBN 978-1455726134.

Previous editions

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

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.

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 take getting use to/may be 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 might be better.

Reference

Lester, Susan Carole (2010). Manual of Surgical Pathology (3rd ed.). Saunders. ISBN 978-0-323-06516-0.

Previous edition

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

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.

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.