Hematological diseases: prototypical conditions requiring the diagnostic and prognostic use of molecular data

The field of diagnostic hematopathology is dynamic and evolving given the ongoing accumulation of molecular information and demand for integration of this information into routine clinical practice. In light of this molecular revolution, the appropriate and effective utilization of molecular studies by clinicians/pathologists is of paramount importance to the current diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of nearly all hematologic diseases. In the routine workup of certain hematologic neoplasms, it is more pertinent and practical to understand the purpose of these analyses and how to generally apply them to particular diseases rather than trying to remember a likely outdated list of genes. We will see advances in the treatment of hematologic malignancies as drug development catches up to our molecular understanding of diseases.