Genomics in the Management of Lymphomas

Lymphoma is not a single disease. It encompasses nearly 40 different types of lymphoid malignancies broadly divided into Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin categories. The latter includes precursor B- or T-cell neoplasms, mature B- or T-cell neoplasms, and rare natural killer (NK) cell neoplasms. Each type of lymphoma has a unique histogenesis and is derived from a particular lymphocyte subset defined by stage of differentiation, immune compartment, function, activation status, and/or exposure to antigens. The diversity of the immune system is reflected by many types of lymphoma ranging from indolent to aggressive, highly curable to almost invariably lethal diseases. Lymphoid neoplasms include lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and multiple myeloma. The diagnosis of lymphoma is a highly specialized branch of medicine practiced by pathologists, often with subspecialty training. The diagnosis of lymphoma and its type can be suspected based on clinical history, laboratory data, or imaging studies. However, the definitive diagnosis can only be made from a tissue biopsy. © 2010