Flow cytometry. Clinical and research applications in hematologic malignancies.

Flow cytometric immunophenotyping has become an essential component of the diagnostic workup of leukemias and lymphomas, complementing morphology by providing information on the lineage and differentiation. It also has value in monitoring disease after therapy and in detecting minimal residual disease. This article reviews recent developments in the clinical and research applications of flow cytometry in the study of hematologic malignancies.