New approach to classifying non-Hodgkin's lymphomas: clinical features of the major histologic subtypes. Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Classification Project.

TLDR

Recent advances in lymphoma biology have shifted classification from morphology to distinct clinicopathologic entities defined by immunologic and genetic features, underscoring the need for clinicians to understand their clinical characteristics. The study reports the clinical features of the 13 most common lymphoma subtypes encountered in practice.

Abstract

Increasing knowledge about the biology of the non-Hodgkin's lymphomas has led to new approaches in classification. Rather than grouping lymphomas simply based on cell size, cell shape, and growth pattern, it is now possible to identify distinctive clinicopathologic entities. In many cases, the existence of specific immunologic and/or genetic features has confirmed the existence of these distinctive types of lymphoma. Since patients will be given these diagnoses by pathologists, it is important that clinicians be knowledgeable with regard to their clinical characteristics. The findings for the 13 most common lymphoma types that will be encountered in clinical practice are presented here.