Head and neck hematolymphoid proliferations: what is new?

In 2024, the World Health Organization published its 5th edition of tumor classification, which comprises several updates and modifications in the "blue book" focused on head and neck tumors. These changes feature a systematized and expanded discussion on haematolymphoid proliferations using a multi-parameter approach that comprises clinical features, morphology, immunophenotype, and genetic data, with the latter becoming an essential characteristic for classification. Moreover, for the first time, the World Health Organization has included non-neoplastic diseases, such as reactive lymphoid proliferations, alongside several recognized independent disorders, including Epstein-Barr Virus positive mucocutaneous ulcers and IgG4-related diseases.

Elastography Enhances the Diagnostic Performance of Conventional Ultrasonography in Differentiating Benign from Malignant Superficial Lymphadenopathies.

Background/objectives: Lymph node (LN) evaluation is critical in diagnosing, staging, and managing various diseases, particularly lymphoma and metastatic cancer. Although conventional ultrasound (US) is widely used for this purpose, its limitations in reliably differentiating between benign and malignant LNs persist. Ultrasound elastography (US-E), which evaluates tissue stiffness, has emerged as a promising adjunct to improve diagnostic accuracy.