[Diagnostics and staging of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas]

Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas represent a clinically and biologically heterogeneous group of diseases. Over the last few years, new treatment approaches such as humoral immunotherapy and high dose therapy with stem cell rescue have improved the chances for a cure in most patients with malignant lymphoma. However, only with the correct diagnosis and staging, including the evaluation of novel prognostic factors, are treating physicians able to choose the optimal treatment for their patients. This review focuses on conventional staging procedures and their role in the management of lymphoma patients, as well as on some new aspects of the molecular classification of lymphomas.