Advances in adult non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Current concepts of classification, diagnosis, and management.

In recent years, major advances in the knowledge of immunobiology of the malignant cell, changes in systems of histologic classification and staging procedures, and the development of new therapeutic regimens have considerably changed the approach to, and treatment of, patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Along with these developments has come the realization that close collaboration among the hematologist-oncologist, the hematopathologist, the radiotherapist, and the surgeon is critical in the successful treatment of these patients. Today, the possibility of cure exists for selected patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; such patients must be identified and given appropriate initial therapy. In all patients, the selection of therapy is guided by the histologic type and stage of disease.