Although plasma cell tumors are still an enigma, the author provides an excellent overview of all aspects of examination and treatment of gammopathies, based on 30 years of experience examining more than 1500 patients. Several new modes of treatment which have improved patient quality of life have been developed over the past decades, including bone marrow transplantation. All of these have been dealt with in this publication.

I. The structure of the immune system and the relationship between its components

II. Immunology of the gastrointestinal tract
III. Immunology of the liver
IV. Polyclonal gammopathies
V. Monoclonal gammopathies
VI. The oligoclonal gammopathies
VII. The heavy chain disease
VIII. Forms and differentiations of the plasma cell tumors
IX. Prognosis and epidemiology of plasmocytomas
X. Forms and causes of coagulation disturbances in monoclonal gammopathies
XI. Organ destructive effect of the light chain. Myeloma kidney
XII. Amyloidosis
XIII. Neurologic symptoms and complications of monoclonal gammopathies
XIV. Chromosome studies in monoclonal gammopathies
XV. Therapy of the plasma cell tumors
XVI. The possibilities and limits of the plasma exchange in the treatment of monoclonal gammopathies.