title: WHO-EORTC classification for cutaneous lymphomas.
abstract: Primary cutaneous lymphomas are currently classified by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) classification or the World Health Organization (WHO) classification, but both systems have shortcomings. In particular, differences in the classification of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas other than mycosis fungoides, Sezary syndrome, and the group of primary cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders and the classification and terminology of different types of cutaneous B-cell lymphomas have resulted in considerable debate and confusion. During recent consensus meetings representatives of both systems reached agreement on a new classification, which is now called the WHO-EORTC classification. In this paper we describe the characteristic features of the different primary cutaneous lymphomas and other hematologic neoplasms frequently presenting in the skin, and discuss differences with the previous classification schemes. In addition, the relative frequency and survival data of 1905 patients with primary cutaneous lymphomas derived from Dutch and Austrian registries for primary cutaneous lymphomas are presented to illustrate the clinical significance of this new classification.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, B1-Q-93, Leiden University Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands. rein.willemze@planet.nl
authors.forename: Rein
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Willemze
authors.forename: Elaine S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Jaffe
authors.forename: Günter
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Burg
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cerroni
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Berti
authors.forename: Steven H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Swerdlow
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ralfkiaer
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chimenti
authors.forename: José L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Diaz-Perez
authors.forename: Lyn M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: Florent
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Grange
authors.forename: Nancy Lee
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kempf
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kerl
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kurrer
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Knobler
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pimpinelli
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sander
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santucci
authors.forename: Wolfram
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sterry
authors.forename: Maarten H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Vermeer
authors.forename: Janine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wechsler
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Whittaker
authors.forename: Chris J L M
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Meijer
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D016410:Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D014944:World Health Organization