Includes References and Index

The sixth edition of Neoplastic Diseases of the Blood is long overdue despite the fact that the
fifth edition was published only five years ago, due to the fact that major progress in our understanding of the nature of hematologic malignancies and their treatment has occurred in the
interim. This edition is current and up to date, drawing heavily on recent references, and is
designed to be a readable, encyclopedic resource for established hematologists and oncologists
as well as for trainees in our disciplines.
The chapter structure of the book follows essentially that of the fifth edition, with the addition of some new chapters in the myeloma section. This edition is also divided into five sections like previous editions, each developed and managed by an editor: Chronic Leukemias
and Related Disorders (Peter H. Wiernik), Acute Leukemias (Peter H. Wiernik), Myeloma and
Related Disorders (Morrie Gertz), Lymphomas (Peter H. Wiernik), and Supportive Care
(Janice P. Dutcher). Over 100 authors, many new to this edition, have contributed their expertise to this work.
Our sincere hope is that patients with hematologic malignancies will directly benefit from
our work. This hope drove us to take on and complete this huge task that is the creation of this
book.
We thank the publisher, Springer Medicine, for invaluable assistance during all phases of
the development of the book. Special thanks to Maureen Alexander, Developmental Editor at
Springer, for her highly professional continual interactions with the editors and all authors that
was instrumental in bringing this project to a close in a timely manner, and to Andy Kwan,
Editor, Clinical Medicine for Springer, for overseeing the project from beginning to end.