The clinical relevance of lymphocyte marker studies in the diagnosis of lymphoma.

Immunologic analysis has greatly improved diagnostic accuracy in several clinically important areas, however, the ultimate goal of a lymphoma classification based on immunophenotype has not been reached and may not be forthcoming. In the evaluation of a patient suspected of having lymphoma, lymphocyte marker studies may be essential for a correct diagnosis, helpful but not essential, or entirely noncontributory, depending on the specific clinical setting and histological differential diagnosis. This review will cover the basic principles and technical aspects of marker studies, and will explore several problems in differential diagnosis to clarify the role of marker studies in determining patient management.