The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee is an extraordinary journey through the history, science, and human impact of cancer. Mukherjee, an oncologist, weaves together a detailed narrative that traces cancer’s origins, its battles with humanity, and the remarkable progress made in understanding and treating this disease.
Mukherjee begins by recounting the earliest known cases of cancer, such as the story of Imhotep, the Egyptian physician who first identified a case of breast cancer around 2625 BCE, describing it with the harrowing phrase, "there is no treatment." This stark statement underscores the long-standing fear and mystery surrounding cancer.
The book then moves through centuries of medical discoveries, highlighting pivotal moments like the work of Sidney Farber in the 1940s, who is often referred to as the "father of modern chemotherapy." Farber's work with antifolates marked a turning point in cancer treatment, showing that aggressive, systemic therapy could push cancer into remission, if not cure it outright. Mukherjee emphasizes Farber’s relentless pursuit of a cure, despite the heartbreaking setbacks, quoting him as saying, “There is no defeat in science, only postponed victories.”
Mukherjee also delves into the social and political battles that have shaped cancer treatment, such as the famous "War on Cancer" declared by President Nixon in 1971. He vividly illustrates how this initiative, while well-intentioned, often led to more questions than answers, pushing scientists to think differently about how cancer behaves.
The book also relates personal stories of patients, portraying both the devastation and the resilience that cancer brings. Mukherjee introduces readers to patients like Carla, a young woman diagnosed with leukemia, whose story of survival represents the progress and hope that modern medicine now offers.
One of the most striking aspects of Mukherjee’s narrative is his description of cancer as a shape-shifter, a disease that is not one entity but a multitude of disorders, each with its own behavior and prognosis. This idea is illustrated through the varied success of treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and, more recently, targeted therapies and immunotherapy, each representing a different approach in the ongoing war against cancer.
In summary, The Emperor of All Maladies is not just a history of cancer but a biography of the disease. It captures the scientific, social, and deeply human aspects of cancer, making it a must-read for anyone interested in understanding one of the most challenging adversaries in medical history.
Check out all the previous books like Autobiography of a Yogi, Same as Ever, Meditations, The World for Sale, Siddhartha, and Lessons of History