A Guide to Blood and Marrow Transplantation

Description

This book provides an introduction to marrow and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (including cord blood transplants), emphasizing the principles of this rapidly evolving area. A brief historical perspective is given and the latest developments are discussed. Particular attention is given to the rationale and indications for transplantation, the selection of donors and source of stem cells, and the separation, expansion and manipulation of stem cells. Essential aspects of histocompatibility, preparative regimens used in stem cell transplantation, the use of hematopoietic growth factors and cytokines, the pathophysiology of the graft-versus-host reaction, and the management of complications are dealt with. This book should provide the practicing internist, pediatrician, hematologist, and oncologist as well as other physicians in training or in practice, physicians' assistants, nurses, and students with the information necessary to understand the concepts of stem cell transplantation and to include transplantation in the treatment planning soon after a diagnosis has been established. The text should also be useful to the physician who resumes the patients' care when they return from the transplant center.