Pitfalls in diagnostic hematopathology: part I

Pitfalls in diagnostic hematopathology are underestimated and underreported. Major causes of diagnostic error in hematopathology include: 1) inadequate material; 2) inadequate workup; 3) inadequate clinical correlation; 4) over or under interpretation; 5) challenges in hematopathology. In the first part of this review series, I will focus on the pitfalls in diagnosing and differentiating chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) and mantle cell lymphoma, and discuss the strategies to avoid potential diagnostic errors based on my personal experience.