This textbook will provide a comprehensive, state-of-the art review the field of diagnostic hematopathology as its applied to patients with plasma cell neoplasms. Particular emphasis will be placed on immunophenotypic data immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry as well as cytogenetics. We will also discuss how these ancillary data can predict prognosis and chemotherapeutic response. Plasma Cell Neoplasms will serve as a very useful resource for physicians and researchers interested in the plasma cell myeloma diagnosis, therapy, and research. It will provide a concise yet comprehensive summary of the current status of the field that will help guide patient management and stimulate investigative efforts. All chapters will be written by experts in their fields and will include the most up to date scientific and clinical information.

Dr. Linden is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hematopathology within the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. In addition, he is the Assistant Director of the Special Hematology Laboratory. As a graduate student, Dr. Lindens thesis work helped develop a new mouse model of multiple myeloma. Dr. Linden completed residency and fellowship training in Hematopathology at the University of Washington. He now attends on the University of Minnesota Medical Centers Hematopathology and Flow Cytometry services. Dr. Linden continues to have a strong interest in plasma cell and other hematopoietic neoplasms and enjoys research that applies his clinical skills to improving clinical laboratory diagnoses and predicting clinical outcomes. More specifically, he is investigating optimum diagnostic methods for monitoring residual disease in myeloma patients and developing diagnostic tests to predict chemotherapeutic sensitivity of the neoplastic plasma cells. In addition, he greatly values resident/fellow education and mentorship.

Introduction.- Protein studies.- Electrophoresis and immunofixation.- Serum free light chain analysis.- Morphology and immunohistochemistry of normal and neoplastic plasma cells.- Classification of plasma cell neoplasms.- Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance.- Plasma cell myeloma.- Plasmacytoma solitary and extraosseus.- Monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition diseases.- Cytogenetics.- Flow cytometry.- Integration of laboratory and clinical data into synoptic report.- Approaches to treatment, including stem cell transplant.- Conclusions.- References.