A critique of some contemporary classifications of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Which one should we now use?

Major contemporary classifications of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are discussed and compared with the recently released Working Formulation prepared by an international panel of expert pathologists. The Working Formulation was constructed according to prognosis and represents a compromise of existing terminologies. It has many weaknesses and appears to be unsuitable for use by pathologists as the sole classification for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; however, it serves as an important means of translation between existing classifications. As all the major systems have been shown to have prognostic relevance, it is suggested that we continue to use the classification of our choice, preferably one which is familiar to our clinical colleagues, and that the terminology of the Working Formulation be employed as an alternative diagnosis in parentheses.