Hematologic Cancers: Essentials in Oncology

Hematologic cancers are the malignancies of the hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues that affect the blood, lymph, bone marrow and lymphatic system. These derive from two blood lineages- lymphoid and myeloid cell lines. Lymphomas, myeloma and lymphocytic leukemias are lymphoid line malignancies, while myelodysplastic syndromes, myeloproliferative diseases, and acute and chronic myelogenous leukemia are myeloid in origin. A blood film and a complete blood count are essential for the diagnosis of a blood cancer. A bone marrow biopsy is usually needed for the analysis of these disorders. These cancers are targeted through symptomatic treatment or more aggressively with immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. In case of a successful treatment, patients are followed up at regular intervals to detect recurrences and secondary malignancies. This book provides comprehensive insights into the field of oncology. It unfolds the innovative aspects of hematologic cancers, which will be crucial for the progress of this field in the future. It will help the readers in keeping pace with the rapid changes in this field.