Prognostic systems for lymphomas.

The prognostication of lymphoma patients remains important to optimize treatments choices. Clinically based indices, such as the International Prognosis Index and the Follicular Lymphoma International Prognosis Index, developed respectively for aggressive and follicular lymphoma, are of great value in routine practice and clinical research, but they reflect only the biologic heterogeneity of these diseases. New techniques have made it possible to unravel the underlying biologic pathways associated with outcome. The current challenge, translating these molecular findings into clinical practice, requires the validation of those biomarkers in large cohorts of patients.