[Extranodular manifestations of generalized malignant lymphomas]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Pathology

Context:

• Analysis of 90 autopsy cases of malignant lymphoma from the Institute of Pathology, University of Zurich (1970-1974).
• Focus on extranodular manifestations and primary sites of disease.

Purpose:

• To investigate the frequency and patterns of extranodular involvement in malignant lymphoma.
• To determine the primary sites of disease origin and their impact on survival.

Summary:

• 8% of malignant lymphomas presented with primary extranodular manifestations, commonly affecting the spleen, bone marrow, and liver.
• While 12% of cases involved only lymph nodes, 80% showed both nodal and extranodular involvement.
• The intestinal tract was a primary site in 22% of cases with extranodular origins.
• Cervical lymph nodes were the most common primary nodal site (30%).
• Average survival was 17 months, reduced to 12.5 months for the more aggressive reticulum-cell lymphoma.

Impact:

• Highlights the significant role of extranodular sites in malignant lymphoma presentation and progression.
• Provides data on organ distribution and primary disease origins, aiding in diagnostic and prognostic assessments.
• Underscores the prognostic significance of lymphoma subtype, such as reticulum-cell lymphoma.