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Dr Rassam Qualified in 1980 from the University of Baghdad. In 1986 he arrived to the UK on a scholarship for post-graduate training in haematology. He trained as a Registrar at the Royal Free Hospital, London and Edgware General Hospital and a Senior Registrar and University of London Lecturer at St Bartholomew's Hospital, University College Hospital and Hospital for Sick Children at Great Ormond Street. During his time as a senior registrar, he conducted research into immune reconstitution following stem cell transplantation in children with severe combined immune deficiency. He received his Membership of the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Pathologists in 1989 and 1992 respectively and was elected as Fellow of both colleges in 1997 and 1999.

Dr Rassam has a special interest in the management of lymphoid malignancies and in research into the immune mechanisms and therapy of cancer. In 1997 he was awarded The Microscopical Society of Great Britain and Ireland Fellowship to study the technology and isolation of tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (the immune cells against cancer) at Harvard University in the USA. Following his return, he established a research laboratory at Queen Mary's Hospital to study the role of the immune system in lymphatic cancer and has presented his findings in National and International meetings. Dr. Rassam has continued in his efforts in the world of research as has won a number of prestigious awards.

Dr. Rassam is an active member of the low and high grade lymphoma subgroups of the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI), the British Society of Haematology, the American Society of Haematology, The UK Waldenstroms Macroglobulinaemia Group and an author on the British Society of Haematology Guidelines in Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinaemia. He is an examiner and appointment advisory officer for the Royal College of Pathologists. He is the author of a number of National clinical trial proposals. He is also the chairman of the Hemato-Oncology Group in the Kent Cancer Network and responsible for updating the lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) pathways. He is the National Chief Investigator for the ASCEND study in CLL.

Diseases, Medical Tests and Treatments

• Chemotherapy
• General Haematology
• Haematological oncology
• Lymphoma: Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin
• Myeloma
• Leukaemia