title: WHO/EORTC classification of cutaneous lymphomas 2005: histological and molecular aspects.
abstract: The new WHO/EORTC classification for cutaneous lymphomas comprises mature T-cell and natural killer (NK)-cell neoplasms, mature B-cell neoplasms, and immature hematopoietic malignancies. It reflects the unique features of lymphoproliferative diseases of the skin, and at the same time it is as compatible as possible with the concepts underlying the WHO classification for nodal lymphomas and the EORTC classification of cutaneous lymphomas. This article reviews the histological, phenotypical, and molecular genetic features of the various nosological entities included in this new classification. These findings always have to be interpreted in the context of the clinical features and biologic behavior.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To review the histological, phenotypical and molecular genetic features of the various nosological entities of the new WHO/EORTC classification for cutaneous lymphomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Extensive review of the literature cited in Medline and own data of the authors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The WHO/EORTC classification of cutaneous lymphomas comprises mature T-cell and NK-cell neoplasms, mature B-cell neoplasms and immature hematopoietic malignancies. It reflects the unique features of primary cutaneous lymphoproliferative diseases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This classification is as much as possible compatible with the concept of the WHO classification for nodal lymphomas and the EORTC classification of cutaneous lymphomas. The histological, phenotypical and molecular genetic features always have to be interpreted in the context of the clinical features and biologic behavior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland. g.burg@usz.ch
authors.forename: Günter
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authors.lastname: Burg
authors.forename: Werner
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authors.forename: Antonio
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authors.lastname: Cozzio
authors.forename: Josef
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authors.forename: Lorenzo
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authors.lastname: Cerroni
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chimenti
authors.forename: José L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Diaz-Perez
authors.forename: Florent
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authors.lastname: Grange
authors.forename: Nancy L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Dmitry V
authors.initials: DV
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authors.forename: Helmut
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authors.forename: Nicola
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authors.lastname: Pimpinelli
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ralfkiaer
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Russell-Jones
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: Steven H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Swerdlow
authors.forename: Maarten H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Vermeer
authors.forename: Janine
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authors.lastname: Wechsler
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Whittaker
mesh_terms: D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007390:International Agencies; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D016410:Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D014944:World Health Organization