Publisher's Synopsis
The quest for a better understanding of the leukaemic process has continued unabated since this book first came to light almost a decade ago. There have been major advances in technology and with it a more comprehensive view of the great heterogeneity of human leukaemias and a wider application of more precise diagnostic methods. The greatest progress has been in the fields of immunology, with the development of an ever-growing range of monoclonal antibodies specific for leucocyte differentiation and functional antigens, and of molecular genetics, with new and highly sophisticated tecniques. The advances in both areas have been nothing short of spectacular.;For this reason we have included in this edition two chapters on cell markers and two on DNA analysis. As before, the methods are described as used in the laboratories of the authors, who are themselves actively involved in research and teaching in their respective fields. The classic disciplines of morphology, cytochemistry and bone marrow histology, which still form the basis of day-to-day diagnosis and practice, have been given a modern perspective to match the numerous clinicopathological entities included now under the broad term of leukaemia.;The role of ultrastructural morphology and immunocytochemistry is examined in greater detail than before and we have now included a chapter on lymphoid malignancies. Chromosome analysis, which made significant strides in recognising leukemias of different prognosis and has led the way to molecular advances by discovering non-random translocations and consistent breakpoint regions, has also been expanded to two chapters. The book has been completely re-written and, as such, it bears little resemblance to the first edition apart from the same focus on methodology applied to the study of the leukaemic cell. It is hoped that it will aid haematologists, oncologists, clinicians, pathologists and other scientists in their diagnostic and research work. The field moves very fast and new techniques replace old ones but the process is gradual.;This book summarizes the practice of leukaemia diagnosis in today's leading laboratories and should serve as the basis for further developments.
