[Immunophaenotyping in the diagnosis of lymphoma]

The detection of specific disease markers by immunologic methods is becoming more and more important in lymphoma diagnosis. This has led to the incorporation of immunophaenotypic findings into the new WHO-classification. In comparison with conventional immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry bears the advantage of simultaneous demonstration of several antigens on the same cell. The information obtained allows reliable lineage determination, often demonstration of clonality and it helps in classifying lymphoproliferative diseases. It must be stressed, that also with the new classification, correct diagnoses can only be obtained by a synthesis of morphologic, immunophaenotypic and in certain cases cytogenetic findings.