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 Working Formulation, the International Lymphoma Study Group, and other groups. The criteria for classification have expanded to include biologic and laboratory parameters. Clinical aspects are important, because diagnostic categories that obscure discrete entities, such as mucosa-associated B-cell lymphoma could adversely affect therapy. This and other indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and mantle-cell lymphoma, which has been provisionally included among them, are reviewed. Variations in nomenclature, immunohistochemical and molecular characteristics, and whenever possible, prognosis and clinical outcome are described. The need for further correlation with clinical outcome of these entities is noted.