Historical Perspective on the Treatment Challenges of Low-Grade Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

A brief history of lymphomas and their classification is followed by a discussion of indolent lymphoma and its curability. The experience at Stanford University over the past 30 years led to the notion that indolent lymphoma is an incurable disease and to the practice of watchful waiting. The experience at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center is discussed here and provides a counterpoint to this perspective. The definition of curability for indolent lymphomas is challenged and a revised definition suggested based on the results of these clinical studies.