Non-Neoplastic Disorders of Bone Marrow (AFIP Atlas of Tumor and Non-Tumor Pathology, Series 5, Vol. 26)

Description

Non-Neoplastic Disorders of Bone Marrow is devoted to the evaluation and interpretation of bone marrow and peripheral blood specimens from both adult and pediatric patients. The primary focus of this Fascicle is the spectrum of acquired non-neoplastic processes affecting blood and bone marrow. Selected clonal non-neoplastic conditions and germline or congenital disorders are also included. Neoplastic entities are discussed when they form an essential part of the differential diagnosis.

Key concepts and comparisons are emphasized through frequent summary tables highlighting important morphologic, immunophenotypic, genetic, and clinical features of these disorders, many of which can closely mimic malignant hematologic conditions.

The volume is organized into ten chapters. The first three chapters provide foundational material, including:

• An overview of normal bone marrow and peripheral blood
• Guidance on bone marrow collection and processing
• Assessment of specimen adequacy and recognition of artifacts

Chapter 2 presents a practical approach to bone marrow and peripheral blood evaluation. The remaining chapters are organized by etiology rather than cell lineage, reflecting the fact that many hematopoietic disorders affect multiple cell types simultaneously.

Chapters 4 through 8 address the following etiologic categories:

• Paraneoplastic phenomena
• Autoimmune diseases
• Metabolic disorders
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Effects of toxins and medications

The final two chapters focus on clonal and congenital disorders with blood and bone marrow manifestations.

To facilitate diagnostic navigation, the Fascicle includes two comprehensive cross-referencing tables:

• Table 1 correlates bone marrow features (e.g., fibrosis, cellularity changes, dysplasia) with the chapters in which they are discussed
• Table 2 correlates specific peripheral blood findings (e.g., neutropenia, inclusions, circulating blasts) with relevant differential diagnoses and chapters

These tools allow readers to move efficiently between observed morphologic patterns and the diagnostic entities that may explain them.

This Fascicle is designed as a practical, morphologically grounded resource for practicing pathologists, hematopathologists, trainees, and clinicians who rely on blood and bone marrow examination in patient care. Accurate diagnosis of non-neoplastic bone marrow disorders often requires the integration of subtle morphologic findings with clinical context and laboratory data, as well as informed selection of ancillary studies.

Because non-neoplastic disorders can closely resemble malignant hematologic diseases, misdiagnosis may lead to inappropriate therapy. Given that most training resources emphasize hematologic malignancies, this volume fills a critical gap by illustrating the distinct morphologic characteristics and practical diagnostic approach to the broad spectrum of benign blood and bone marrow disorders.