Malignant Lymphoma: Nomenclature, Recently Recognized Subtypes, and Current Concepts

Abstract

The nomenclature of malignant lymphoma was chaotic until the Rappaport classification was introduced in 1966. This classification was morphology-derived and did much to clarify clinicopathological information, but it could not incorporate the newer information from updated technologies. The 1982 Working Formulation, the result of an extensive international study, was a major step forward in the classification of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, providing a clinically and prognostically useful terminology.

Since then, even newer technologies have provided a plethora of information about new variants of lymphoma and cell lineage. The Working Formulation is no longer entirely adequate and a more precise nomenclature will be needed to incorporate the newest information to develop better forms of therapy. (The J Histotechnol 15:175-184, 1992)

Keywords:

• cell lineage
• classification
• genotype
• Hodgkin's disease
• irnrnunophenotype
• non-Hodgkin's lymphoma