Lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, and clonal CLL cells: observations on the impact of the new diagnostic criteria in the 2008 Guidelines for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL).

ments to the guidelines, but we believe changing the diagnostic criteria for CLL to 5.0 109/L B cells requires further study as the current recommendation will likely create more questions than answers. The real challenge is not to focus on numeric cutoffs, but to devise a classification system that recognizes a common clonal B-cell immunophenotype and reflects today’s genetic and biologic knowledge in a way that will best benefit our patients.