Histopathology and Classification of T-Cell Lymphomas

This chapter is an overview of epidemiologic, diagnostic, and prognostic features of mature NK- and T-cell lymphomas. In the introduction, there is a brief presentation of the epidemiology of these neoplasms and of the factors that may impact their geographical distribution. The discussion of the general principles of the 2008 World Health Organization classification of lymphoid tumors is followed by a review of specimen handling that ideally should allow a reliable diagnosis. The bulk of the chapter consists of the presentation of each type of lymphoma, with an emphasis on the morphologic, immunophenotypic, molecular, and genetic characteristics of each diagnostic category.