Genotypic heterogeneity of node based peripheral T-cell lymphoma

PTCL represents a diverse group of histological entities that defy classification schemes based on normal T cell differentiation, differ in their clinical presentation and behave unpredictably. Genetic analyses of this phenotypically heterogeneous group have clearly shown that histologically defined PTCL may be subdivided on the basis of clonal gene rearrangements. The absence of clonal gene rearrangements in a significant proportion of PTCL cases has increased the complexity of classification. The data presented in this review suggest that a molecular classification would allow true reflection of PTCL aetiology, but carefully coordinated studies are required to evaluate the clinical usefulness of such a classification scheme.