NEW CLASSIFICATION OF LOW-GRADE LYMPHOMA

The problem of morphologic classification of the indolent non-Hodgkin' s lymphomas has been addressed by the National Cancer Institute Workin g Formulation, the International Lymphoma Study Group, and other group s. The criteria for classification have expanded to include biologic a nd laboratory parameters. Clinical aspects are important, because diag nostic categories that obscure discrete entities, such as mucosa-assoc iated B-cell lymphoma could adversely affect therapy. This and other i ndolent non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and mantle-cell lymphoma, which has be en provisionally included among them, are reviewed. Variations in nome nclature, immunohistochemical and molecular characteristics, and whene ver possible, prognosis and clinical outcome are described. The need f or further correlation with clinical outcome of these entities is note d.