Molecular Pathology of Mature Lymphoid Neoplasms

The understanding of the biologic basis of mature lymphoid neoplasms has been impacted through the sequential integration of emerging molecular technologies. Early techniques such as Southern blotting were foundational in establishing molecular hematopathology by demonstrating antigen receptor gene rearrangements and supporting the identification of lymphoid clonality. The development of FISH and PCR allowed for sensitive detection of specific translocations. Most notably, mutation detection via high-throughput sequencing and its various additional applications to DNA and RNA has transformed hematopathology, enabling comprehensive genomic profiling into not only routine diagnostics but also determining prognosis and guiding therapy for these diverse neoplasms.