Classification of hematopoietic and lymphoid tissue tumors. WHO

Less than 7 years separates this edition from the first consensus classification of lymphomas, published in the journal Blood in 1994. The implementation of this project in one of the most difficult areas of onco-hematology can be an example of the coordinated work of pathologists from various countries and scientific schools aimed at achieving a common goal – systematization and generalization of extensive molecular biological, genetic, immunological and morphological knowledge of lymphomas in the form of a list of actually existing ones (consonance to the accustomed abbreviation REAL — from English. Revised Eur opean American Lymphoma classification) of nosological units.

To be fair, it should be noted that by far not all the publication of the REAL classification in 1994 was accepted without objection. The work was criticized by the editors of the journal Blood. Serious complaints related to the clinical significance of the classification, its reproducibility, and even the very principle of diagnosis, taking into account the T or B linearity of the tumor cells, has been questioned.

A special clinical committee of leading hematologists of the world was established, which confirmed the clinical significance of the classification.

The final classification takes into account the comments made, and it differs significantly from the first publication. Added new nosological forms, many of the previously proposed are excluded.

“Nowhere in pathology is the chaos of names obscured by clear concepts to the same extent as in the subject of lymphoid tumors.” I want to believe that these words of RA Willis are in the past, and the modern names of variants of lymphomas, giving an increasingly complete picture of the nature of tumor cells based on their degree of maturity and linear affiliation, will, on the contrary, clarify the essence of these diseases and contribute to their more effective treatment. .