The continuing success of the VICC's Manual of Clinical Oncology and the continuing refinement of our educational objectives in cancer designed for graduating medical students and young practitioners, cou pled with significant additional knowledge in the cancer field have allIed to the decision to publish a Fourth Edition. The collaboration of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan-American Health Orga nization (PAHO) in our international and regional conferences in cancer education and the development of courses using the Manual as a basic resource have aided further definition of the VICC's role in cancer educa tion throughout the world. Our Revision Committee believes that we have incorporated in this small volume most of the knowledge about cancer which is essential for all students and practioners to know and that we have done so in a clear and concise manner. A large proportion of the material presented herein is devoted to basic aspects, yet presented so that the clinical implications are clear. Although we do not feel that general physicians need to know minor details about all cancers, we feel it is particularly important to be somewhat thorough in our discussions of the more common cancers. We have omitted discussion of the rare cancers, and limited ourselves to the major concepts and princi ples of the less common cancers.

I. General Aspects

and Survey
Epidemiology
Aetiology
Prevention
Pathology
Natural History of Cancer
Mass Screening and Early Detection
Diagnosis
Evaluation of the Extent of Disease
Principles of Treatment
Rehabilitation
Psychosocial Aspects
Prognosis
II. Cancers of Specific Sites
Skin Cancer
Melanoma
Head and Neck
Thyroid
Tumours of the Eye
Thorax
Alimentary Tract
Breast
Female Genital Organs
Male Genital Organs
Urinary Tract
Central Nervous System
Bone and Soft Tissue
Lymphomas and Myeloma
Multiple Myeloma
Leukaemias
Childhood Cancers
III. Basic Science Research of Imminent Impact on Clinical Oncology
Cancer Diagnosis
Cancer Therapy
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
References.