It is my privilege to introduce this Handbook on Advanced Cancer Care, which belongs to a series of publications initiated by the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO). There is a great need, especially for medical oncologists, to have a comprehensive overview of the essential elements needed for the care of patients with advanced cancer. This handbook fulfills these requirements. The Handbook on Advanced Cancer Care provides useful definitions and surveys of treatment principles. Excellent guidelines are provided for diagnostic procedures and therapies for various conditions associated with advanced cancer and its treatment. The chapters are written in a pedagogical manner with informative figures and tables and I believe this.
