- Email: [email protected]
Lymphoproliferative disorders
Pathology (December 2005) 37(6), pp. 407–408
EDITORIAL
Lymphoproliferative disorders GRAHAM A. R. YOUNG Institute of Haematology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, and University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
When Professor Soon Lee approached me last year to edit a special issue of Pathology on ‘Lymphoproliferative Disorders’ I was naturally very flattered and set about my task with great enthusiasm. Initially my thoughts were predictable and followed tried and tested methodology: What was the AIM of the exercise? What was the BACKGROUND? What METHODS could be used to achieve this aim? How would this be ASSESSED?
AIM The aim was to bring together a series of up-to-date reviews in the area of lymphoproliferative disorders which would appeal to pathologists in particular, and showcase the contribution that pathology has made to our understanding of these conditions.
BACKGROUND I have always believed that most of our advances in clinical medicine stem from our understanding of basic science: the science that tells us about how things are meant to work in the body—physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, etc.— and the science that tells us how things go wrong and why—pathology. In recent times, there has been a perception of a move away from the conventional medical education which built its foundation on these scientific principles, to a system that places more emphasis on problem solving. Some traditionalists have raised this issue, and I know that it forms the basis of robust debate within several local Colleges. I suspect that the secret is ‘balance’ and the trick will be to find that elusive point of equipoise. In any event, lymphoproliferative disorders have always had a strong foundation in the basic sciences and I thought this special theme issue would represent a suitable opportunity to showcase this, and particularly to showcase the wealth of Australian talent in this area. The focus of the issue has been on the pathological aspects of lymphoproliferative disorders, and conventional treatment strategies have been deliberately omitted. Each author has been carefully chosen as a recognised expert, able to provide a ‘state of the art’ review of their chosen topic.
METHODOLOGY With this background in mind, the ‘structure’ of the issue fell into place very easily, and essentially follows an evolutionary model, being divided into three major sections. The first section is entitled ‘Important Perspectives’ and comprises two chapters on lymphoproliferative disorders, firstly in epidemiological terms,1 followed by a review on our current understanding of the role of viruses in the aetiology of lymphoma.2 The second section is designed to detail ‘Practical Aspects of Diagnostic Histopathology’ with chapters on conventional histopathology3 and immunophenotyping4 which form the foundations of the diagnosis of lymphoproliferative disorders, together with a chapter from Dr Jack in the United Kingdom,5 which is designed to act as a catalyst for discussion on the organisation of laboratory services. The third section is designed to show the evolution of conventional histopathology into the era of molecular pathology with a look at the ‘New Biology’. Much of what we have learnt about the molecular pathology of lymphoproliferative disorders has come from our understanding of cytogenetics and molecular genetics which are detailed in this section.6,7 The issue finishes with chapters on gene therapy8 and vaccines9 which also take us into the future. It is an exciting time in the pathology of lymphoproliferative disorders.
ASSESSMENT In the final analysis it is the reader who makes the judgement, so I hope you will enjoy this special theme issue and find it a stimulating read.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS There are a number of people who require acknowledgement and sincere thanks. Firstly, I should like to thank the contributors, who without exception have prepared a series of outstanding manuscripts on their chosen topic despite other professional commitments. Secondly, my sincere thanks to the reviewers who again prepared a series of excellent and constructive comments which made my editorial task so much easier. These reviewers have been Yvonne Cossart, Margaret Garson, John Gibson, Mark Hertzberg, Surender Juneja, Soon Lee, Paula Marlton, Stephen Mulligan, David Ritchie. Finally, a hearty vote of thanks and appreciation to Belinda Neill in the Editorial Office at the College. Without
ISSN 0031-3025 printed/ISSN 1465-3931 # 2005 Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia DOI: 10.1080/00313020500368444
408
EDITORIAL
her perseverance and constant cajoling this issue would never have been completed. Her efficiency, organisational skills and dedication have been outstanding. Address for correspondence: Associate Professor G. A. R. Young, Institute of Haematology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia. E-mail: [email protected]. nsw.gov.au
References 1. Grulich AE, Vajdic CM. The epidemiology of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Pathology 2005; 37: 409–19.
Pathology (2005), 37(6), December
2. Gandhi MK, Khanna R. Viruses and lymphoma. Pathology 2005; 37: 420–33. 3. Ellis DW, Eaton M, Fox RM, et al. Diagnostic pathology of lymphoproliferative disorders. Pathology 2005; 37: 434–56. 4. Gudgin EJ, Erber WN. Immunophenotyping of lymphoproliferative disorders: state of the art. Pathology 2005; 37: 457–78. 5. Jack A. Organisation of neoplastic haematopathology services: a UK perspective. Pathology 2005; 37: 479–92. 6. Campbell LJ. Cytogenetics of lymphomas. Pathology 2005; 37: 493–507. 7. Catalano A, Iland H. Molecular biology of lymphoma in the microarray era. Pathology 2005; 37: 508–22. 8. Larsen SR, Rasko JEJ. Lymphoproliferative disorders: prospects for gene therapy. Pathology 2005; 37: 523–33. 9. Radford KJ, Vari F, Hart DNJ. Vaccine strategies to treat lymphoproliferative disorders. Pathology 2005; 37: 534–50.
EDITORIAL
Lymphoproliferative disorders GRAHAM A. R. YOUNG Institute of Haematology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, and University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
When Professor Soon Lee approached me last year to edit a special issue of Pathology on ‘Lymphoproliferative Disorders’ I was naturally very flattered and set about my task with great enthusiasm. Initially my thoughts were predictable and followed tried and tested methodology: What was the AIM of the exercise? What was the BACKGROUND? What METHODS could be used to achieve this aim? How would this be ASSESSED?
AIM The aim was to bring together a series of up-to-date reviews in the area of lymphoproliferative disorders which would appeal to pathologists in particular, and showcase the contribution that pathology has made to our understanding of these conditions.
BACKGROUND I have always believed that most of our advances in clinical medicine stem from our understanding of basic science: the science that tells us about how things are meant to work in the body—physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, etc.— and the science that tells us how things go wrong and why—pathology. In recent times, there has been a perception of a move away from the conventional medical education which built its foundation on these scientific principles, to a system that places more emphasis on problem solving. Some traditionalists have raised this issue, and I know that it forms the basis of robust debate within several local Colleges. I suspect that the secret is ‘balance’ and the trick will be to find that elusive point of equipoise. In any event, lymphoproliferative disorders have always had a strong foundation in the basic sciences and I thought this special theme issue would represent a suitable opportunity to showcase this, and particularly to showcase the wealth of Australian talent in this area. The focus of the issue has been on the pathological aspects of lymphoproliferative disorders, and conventional treatment strategies have been deliberately omitted. Each author has been carefully chosen as a recognised expert, able to provide a ‘state of the art’ review of their chosen topic.
METHODOLOGY With this background in mind, the ‘structure’ of the issue fell into place very easily, and essentially follows an evolutionary model, being divided into three major sections. The first section is entitled ‘Important Perspectives’ and comprises two chapters on lymphoproliferative disorders, firstly in epidemiological terms,1 followed by a review on our current understanding of the role of viruses in the aetiology of lymphoma.2 The second section is designed to detail ‘Practical Aspects of Diagnostic Histopathology’ with chapters on conventional histopathology3 and immunophenotyping4 which form the foundations of the diagnosis of lymphoproliferative disorders, together with a chapter from Dr Jack in the United Kingdom,5 which is designed to act as a catalyst for discussion on the organisation of laboratory services. The third section is designed to show the evolution of conventional histopathology into the era of molecular pathology with a look at the ‘New Biology’. Much of what we have learnt about the molecular pathology of lymphoproliferative disorders has come from our understanding of cytogenetics and molecular genetics which are detailed in this section.6,7 The issue finishes with chapters on gene therapy8 and vaccines9 which also take us into the future. It is an exciting time in the pathology of lymphoproliferative disorders.
ASSESSMENT In the final analysis it is the reader who makes the judgement, so I hope you will enjoy this special theme issue and find it a stimulating read.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS There are a number of people who require acknowledgement and sincere thanks. Firstly, I should like to thank the contributors, who without exception have prepared a series of outstanding manuscripts on their chosen topic despite other professional commitments. Secondly, my sincere thanks to the reviewers who again prepared a series of excellent and constructive comments which made my editorial task so much easier. These reviewers have been Yvonne Cossart, Margaret Garson, John Gibson, Mark Hertzberg, Surender Juneja, Soon Lee, Paula Marlton, Stephen Mulligan, David Ritchie. Finally, a hearty vote of thanks and appreciation to Belinda Neill in the Editorial Office at the College. Without
ISSN 0031-3025 printed/ISSN 1465-3931 # 2005 Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia DOI: 10.1080/00313020500368444
408
EDITORIAL
her perseverance and constant cajoling this issue would never have been completed. Her efficiency, organisational skills and dedication have been outstanding. Address for correspondence: Associate Professor G. A. R. Young, Institute of Haematology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia. E-mail: [email protected]. nsw.gov.au
References 1. Grulich AE, Vajdic CM. The epidemiology of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Pathology 2005; 37: 409–19.
Pathology (2005), 37(6), December
2. Gandhi MK, Khanna R. Viruses and lymphoma. Pathology 2005; 37: 420–33. 3. Ellis DW, Eaton M, Fox RM, et al. Diagnostic pathology of lymphoproliferative disorders. Pathology 2005; 37: 434–56. 4. Gudgin EJ, Erber WN. Immunophenotyping of lymphoproliferative disorders: state of the art. Pathology 2005; 37: 457–78. 5. Jack A. Organisation of neoplastic haematopathology services: a UK perspective. Pathology 2005; 37: 479–92. 6. Campbell LJ. Cytogenetics of lymphomas. Pathology 2005; 37: 493–507. 7. Catalano A, Iland H. Molecular biology of lymphoma in the microarray era. Pathology 2005; 37: 508–22. 8. Larsen SR, Rasko JEJ. Lymphoproliferative disorders: prospects for gene therapy. Pathology 2005; 37: 523–33. 9. Radford KJ, Vari F, Hart DNJ. Vaccine strategies to treat lymphoproliferative disorders. Pathology 2005; 37: 534–50.