Vnitr Lek 2005, 51(6):690-698

The REAL/WHO classification of neoplastic disease of the lymphoid tissues: 10 years of common language function from the clinical practice view point

T. Papajík^*, L. Raida, K. Indrák

Hemato-onkologická klinika Lékařské fakulty UP a FN, Olomouc, přednosta prof. MUDr. Karel Indrák, DrSc.

Neoplasms of lymphoid tissues represent relatively great and heterogeneous group of human tumors. The expansion of data on lymphomagenesis could help us to understand similarities and also differences among various subgroups of malignant lymphomas. Hence there has been an increasing need to exactly define, differentiate and classify individual lymphoma entities. Previous classification systems were based on a neoplastic cell and tissue morphology, only a few information about physiology and pathophysiology of immune system were incorporated in them. These lymphoma classifications have been a source of confusion for many years for both clinicians and pathologists. The construction of a new lymphoma classification was started in early 90th years of 20th century. The classification was publicated in 1994 as "A Revisited European-American Classification of Lymphoid Neoplasms". For the first time in a history it has worked consistently with morphologic, immunophenotypic, genetic and clinical information together. The philosophy and form of REAL classification have been adopted by the new WHO Classification of Neoplastic Diseases of the Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues. This scheme is now accepted as a modern and universal language of communication on the field of hemato-oncology.

Keywords: cytogenetics; immunophenotype; lymphoid neoplasms; non-Hodgkin's lymphomas; REAL classification; WHO classification

Received: July 12, 2004; Accepted: October 26, 2004; Published: June 1, 2005  Show citation