There is a need for the general pathologist to be exposed to the constantly changing diagnostic methods in hematopathology. Especially frustrating is the perceptions that hematopathology is becoming so specialized as to preclude the general pathologist from practicing hematopathology. The aim of this course is to develop an approach to diagnosing lymphomas using modern information and diagnostic methods. Upon completion of the course, the attendee should more comfortable with the common problems and gain strategies and diagnostic approaches that will allow for confident diagnosis in a complex field.

The course is suited for General Pathologists and Residents are encouraged to attend. This course will cover basic diagnostic approach and techniques for lymphomas, using common diagnostic questions/problems as a foundation for covering material on several topics. The main efforts of this course are to: 1) Review basic practices for the diagnosis of common lymphomas; 2) Help to establish a consistent approach to the diagnosis of lymphomas using the 2008 WHO criteria; 3) Review ancillary methodologies and when to use them for diagnosis and prognosis in lymphomas.

The course will be based around several commonly occurring questions that come up in routine practice regarding the diagnosis of lymphomas and lymphoproliferative disorders. Topics that will be covered are: 1) Is it follicular hyperplasia or follicular lymphoma? 2) Do I have to do special studies to subtype Hodgkin lymphoma? 3) I've diagnosed "small B cell lymphoma" - now, what kind is it? 4) Is this gastrointestinal lymphoid infiltrate benign or malignant? 5) OK - I've diagnosed "large cell lymphoma"; do I have to do anything else? 6) What sort of ancillary studies should I do? Flow cytometry? Immuno stains? Molecular testing? FISH?

Specific entities that will be covered include: 1) Hodgkin lymphoma; 2) Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma; 3) Chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma; 4) Mantle cell lymphoma; 5) Follicular lymphoma; 6) Marginal zone lymphoma; 7) Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (Except as part of inclusion in differential diagnoses, benign disorders and T-cell lymphomas will not be covered).

Cases will be used as starting points for discussions. Cases will be presented as "virtual slides", with digitally scanned materials that will be made available to pre-participants prior to the course. A syllabus will be distributed at the course. After the meeting, registrants will receive web access to the PowerPoint presentation given at the Annual Meeting along with the text portion of the syllabus.

In addition, a pretest will be available. There will also be a post-test, with questions to qualify this course for documentation of content mastery.

(LAST SCHEDULED PRESENTATION) This course may be used for CME credits or SAM credits.