Minimal residual disease in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Recent advances in the sensitivity of detection methods have clearly illustrated that patients in complete clinical remission often harbor residual lymphoma cells that are below the limit of detection using standard staging techniques. However, the clinical significance of this detection is by no means clear. Patients have been identified who remain in very long-term clinical remission despite detection of residual lymphoma cells. In contrast, the eradication of lymphoma is associated with improved outcome in patients undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation. We review the methodologies for the detection of minimal residual lymphoma and discusses the clinical significance of this detection.