MALT lymphomas in 1997. Where do we stand?

Steady advances in our scientific understanding of primary extranodal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue-type lymphomas have been achieved during the past 14 years, leading to their inclusion within the International Lymphoma Study Group (revised European-American classification of lymphoid neoplasms, known as REAL) classification as extranodal B-marginal zone lymphomas. Although most cases conform to prototype criteria, exceptional cases, such as those discussed at the Fourth Slide Workshop of the Society for Hematopathology on Extranodal Hematopoietic/Lymphoid Disorders, September 11-13, 1997, raise issues relating to microscopic, immunophenotypic, and clinical behavioral limits for diagnostic criteria. Furthermore, questions about therapeutic management have only begun to be addressed.