World Health Organization classification of the acute leukemias and myelodysplastic syndrome

Int J Hematol. 2000 Aug;72(2):131-3.

Abstract

Under the auspices of the European Association of Hematopathologists and the Society for Hematopathology, 100 hematopathologists and clinicians have met together and in subcommittees over a 5-year period. The model used was that developed by the International Lymphoma Study Group, which used morphologic, immunologic, and genetic features. It resulted in the revised European-American Lymphoma classification. The newly proposed leukemia classification uses a similar format and eliminates purely morphologic subtypes that have no current clinical relevance. As with all consensus proposals, these classifications must withstand criticism and debate by potential users.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Cell Lineage
  • Cytogenetics
  • Humans
  • Leukemia / classification*
  • Leukemia / etiology
  • Leukemia, Lymphoid / classification
  • Leukemia, Lymphoid / etiology
  • Leukemia, Myeloid / classification
  • Leukemia, Myeloid / etiology
  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes / classification*
  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes / etiology
  • World Health Organization*