[Rational diagnosis of malignant systemic hematological diseases (author's transl)]

The present discussion on the cost explosion in the health system compels all concerned to act according to the basic principles of economy. Efficiency in diagnosis, therapy and the supervision of the patient during treatment must not suffer, however, from a wrong idea of economy. Discussion of the diagnostic and differential diagnostic measures for the detection of acute leukemias, of myeloproliferative and lymphoreticular diseases and of monoclonal gammopathies takes place principally from the point of view of clinical relevance. In particular it ought to be stated which laboratory investigations are indispensable for an exact diagnosis.