Laboratory Workup of Lymphoma in Adults

The rapid proliferation of complex and expensive ancillary tests useful in the diagnosis and management of hematopoietic malignancies presents a formidable challenge to clinicians and pathologists alike, especially those pathologists who are not subspecialty trained in hematopathology.

Pathologists are challenged to diagnose lymphoma on samples of decreasing tissue volume, including those from fine needle aspirations and needle biopsies. At the same time, advancements in our knowledge of lymphoma require clinical teams to perform a growing number of ancillary tests to differentiate specific lymphoma subtypes with complex diagnostic criteria, to optimize therapy for each patient. Often, the most effective clinical approach is elusive, and can vary between different practice settings.

The diagnostic workup of lymphoma continues to evolve rapidly as experience and discovery lead to the addition of new clinicopathologic entities to the WHO 2008 classification scheme, and of techniques to differentiate them.

The evidence-based “Laboratory Workup of Lymphoma in Adults: Guideline from the American Society for Clinical Pathology and the College of American Pathologists” is published in early online release by the Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine.

Guideline Status: Active
Early Online Release: November 11, 2020
Originally Published: March 2021

The following tools and resources are available to help implement the guideline:

• Summary of Recommendations
• Methodology Supplement (Supplemental Digital Content)
• Teaching Presentation
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Infographic
• Webinar

Joint Partners
American Society for Clinical Pathology
American Society of Hematology

Review more CAP evidence-based guidelines by the Center.