A history of the Reed-Sternberg cell.

The diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease continues to depend upon the finding of Reed-Sternberg cells in an appropriate histological setting. The cellular origin of the Reed-Sternberg cell is, however, controversial, and the relationship of Hodgkin's disease to the "non-Hodgkin" lymphomas remains uncertain. In the last decade techniques derived from basic immunology have added a new dimension to our understanding of the cellular origin of the "non-Hodgkin" lymphomas. Our concepts of Hodgkin's disease may require modification along similar principles.