REVIEWING HISTOLOGIC DIAGNOSIS OF LYMPHOMA - COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND REVIEW DIAGNOSES IN 269 CASES

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 105  (11) , 573-576
Abstract
By analyzing the pathology records of patients who had a diagnosis of suspected or proved malignant lymphoma (ML) based on examination of a biopsy specimen, the rates of agreement between original and review diagnoses were determined. Of the cases submitted as ML 96% were accepted as ML on review. In 96% of those referred as non-Hodgkin''s lymphoma (NHL), this diagnosis was confirmed. All cases submitted as Hodgkin''s disease (HD) were accepted as ML, but 13% were reclassified as NHL. Based on the review diagnoses expressed according to the Lukes-Butler (HD) or Rappaport (NHL) classifications, 69% of the HD cases and 29% of the NHL cases bore original diagnoses that agreed. Nonuse and incorrect use of standard classifications contributed greatly to these discrepancies. Pathology review is strongly recommended for all cases of ML to reduce diagnostic error where possible and to promote the use of histopathologic terminology that bears on clinical decisions.

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