[Problem of classifying malignant lymphomas]

The classification of malignant lymphomas (ML) after Rappaport is characterized by precise criteria and contributes to a mutual understanding of morphologists and clinicians. The detection of a nonspecific esterase activity facilitates the identification of ML cell elements, since the enzyme activity is insignificant in lymphocytes and intensive in histiocytes. Moreover, the method facilitates to diagnose nodular forms of ML since it aids in revealing the compression of lymph node stroma with tumor foci.