Book excerpt: The Oxford American Handbook of Oncology is the essential reference for medical students, residents, and clinical oncologists seeking a current, portable resource on the delivery of sophisticated cancer care. Chapters focus on the immediate information needs in clinical decision making including treatment choices. Algorithms, best practice guidelines, highlighted tables, and targeted lists of landmark references enhance the concise text. For the second edition biologic therapies and therapeutic regimens and options and clinical trial information have been rigorously updated throughout.