title: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma--more than a diffuse collection of large B cells: an entity in search of a meaningful classification.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is a heterogeneous group of lymphomas. In this review, we present a brief description of the large number of entities recognized in the recently published (2008) World Health Organization classification of tumors of hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We highlight the unique clinicopathologic and molecular genetic features of these new and previously recognized entities, to illustrate the rational for the development of this classification. To help simplify the understanding of this now large and complex group of diseases, we have attempted to create broader subgroups of related entities. We discuss large B-cell lymphoma that are not otherwise specified, those that are based on anatomic site, those that have unique histology or phenotype or genotype, those that are associated with Epstein-Barr virus or Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus and herpesvirus 8, and those that are unclassifiable.
  
  
  METHODS
  World Health Organization classification of tumors of hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues (2008), published literature from PubMed (National Library of Medicine), and primary material from the authors' institution were reviewed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recognition of the different subtypes of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma as described in the World Health Organization classification scheme will lead to improved understanding of the unique clinicopathologic and genetic features associated with these subtypes of lymphoma.
authors: Department of Pathology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
authors: Sandeep
authors: S
authors: Gurbuxani
authors: Sandeep
authors: S
authors: Gurbaxani
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Anastasi
authors: Elizabeth
authors: E
authors: Hyjek
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000472:pathogenicity; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000472:pathogenicity; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000145:classification* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D014944:World Health Organization