During the past decade there has been an enormous increase in knowledge of multiple myeloma and related disorders, reflected in the publication of more than 5000 articles on the subject in scientific journals. Much of this has come about as new technologies have made it possible to refine studies on chromosomes and genes and to gain information about gene expression.

It is therefore highly appropriate that this new comprehensive reference should appear at this time. The book covers the whole field of multiple myeloma, and also related diseases such as Waldemström’s macroglobulinaemia, and incorporates both the basic science underlying the diseases and their clinical management. Each chapter has been written to ’stand alone’, allowing the reader to dip into a particular subject and find information quickly without the need to browse through multiple chapters. In addition to the developments described above, all of which are considered here, many other approaches to targeted therapy are reviewed.