STERNAL PUNCTURE

Abstract

Much has been written during the past years concerning the so-called lymphoblastomas. Opinions as to the proper classification of this group of diseases have varied widely. Theories have included a neoplastic and an infectious background. Some observers have referred to the members of this group as separate clinical entities; others have preferred the explanation of genetically related variations of a common tissue source. More recently there seems to be an increasing agreement of opinion among those interesting themselves in this particular group of diseases. Keim's 1 statement suggesting a common origin in the hematopoietic or reticulo-endothelial system is apparently accepted by an increasing number of investigators. According to a recent statement by Wile, 2 the occurrence of mutations as well as their significance . . constitutes strong evidence in favor of the view that lymphoblastomas are genetically related neoplasms involving the lymphoid tissues. It was this growing conception