[Use of various technics in the classification of hematopoietic system tumors]

A comparison of three groups classified according to three different methods (89, 91, und 278 cases respectively) confirmed that the main oncological features of haematopoietic tissue tumours should be sought in their cytological-histological properties.--The spectrum of methods employed (histochemistry, immunohistology, electron microscopy) may in individual cases underpin the decision-making process especially when the appearance of tumour cells has been altered by advanced anaplasia. Partial results of these methods judged in isolation may, however, be conductive to wrong interpretation. That is why special significance should be attached to thin sections of tissue stained according to Giemsa as they combine the advantage of histology with those of cytology.--In the basic classification the pathologist can do with the conventional haematological classes of tumours (granulocytic, histiomonocytic, lymphocytic, erythrocytic, megakaryocytic, mixed, and unclassifiable). In the lymphocytic series it was necessary to proceed not only according to immaturity but also according to the blastic transformation of the initial elements.--The principal outstanding problem is that of a positive mutual distinction between blastically transformed lymphocytes and between those and cells of the reticulum.