La necesidad de las recomendaciones de consenso para la inmunotipificación de las hemopatías malignas

Immunophenotyping of hematological malignancies has proved useful for the diagnosis, classification, prognosis and monitoring of several oncohematological conditions. In order to standardize criteria for the indication, selection of reagents and methods, and interpretation of results, it has been necessary to organize working groups or consensus conferences, whose recommendations have resulted in the comparability and compatibility of information amongst many laboratories and institutions. Two Latin American Consensus Conferences for Immunophenotyping of Hematological Malignancies have been held so far, and the recommendations of the latter are still pertinent; however, in a rather short term future they should be replaced by new guidelines. This paper reviews on the basis and validity of consensus recommendations.