The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer

“Immersed in the day-to-day management of cancer, I could only see the lives and fats of my patients played out in color-saturated detail, like a television with the contrast turned too high.” 

The author describes what it is like to treat patients during his oncology fellowship. At first, his patients seem only like the images of their cancer. Over the course of the book, he comes to understand more about what cancer means in their lives.

“Cancer cells grow faster, adapt better. They are more perfect versions of ourselves.” 

In the Prologue, Mukherjee posits the idea that cancer is not foreign but is part of ourselves. Throughout the book, he presents the science that shows cancer cells come from our genome. They are parts of us, but parts that often evolve more quickly and ingeniously than our normal cells do. Mukherjee presents cancer as a formidable enemy. 

“In new and sanitized suburban towns, a young generation thus dreamed of cures—of a death-free, disease-free existence.” 

The post-World War II period was one of great health advances. Companies launched new medications into the market, and public health increased. With better health care, people expected better cures.