[Comments on the proposal of a new WHO classification of non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma]

Newly proposed WHO classification of non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphomas (17) is based on the principles of the REAL classification. According to these principles, the classification represents a list of tumor disease entities, which have been accepted by clinical practice. The entities are defined by a multiparameter approach, which involves morphology, immunophenotype and genotype of the tumor cells, as well as clinical presentation and course of the disease requiring an appropriate therapy. All the categories of the WHO classification are briefly described, together with their relationship to the categories of the Kiel classification.