Onkológia 2/2014

Biology of malignant lymphomas

The review article summarizes the present knowledge on biology of malignant lymphomas (ML), the principles of the lymphoma classification and its relation to the biological properties of malignant lymphomas, as well as strong and weak points of a biological lymphoma stratification into indolent and aggressive malignant lymphomas according to the recent WHO classification of lymphoid neoplasias. The basic factors helping to understand the biological lymphoma properties related to their clinical manifestation are discussed, distinguishing: a) by the biopsy examination identifiable biological parameters of lymphomas (histomorphological as extent, growth features and topography of neoplastic proliferation, histocytological, immunophenotypical, molecular and genetical parameters, factors of the microenvironment etc.) and b) clinically identifiable parameters (basic clinical data, biochemical, hematological parameters, extent and stage of the disease, the immune state and therapeutical response, etc.). The understanding of the lymphoma biology, supported by the centralization of both their diagnostics and treatment represents a basis for their correct diagnosis, clinical and therapeutical managment leading to the improvement of their curability and patients survival.

Keywords: malignant lymphoma, biology of lymphoma, indolent lymphomas, aggressive lymphomas, prognostic parameters.