[Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: clinical symptoms, therapy and prognosis in 37 patients]

Clinical characteristics and prognostic factors in 37 patients with the diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma made during the 1980-1998 period were retrospectively analyzed. Median age was 70 years, and 70% of patients were aged > 60. The disease was classified according to REAL classification. Twenty-seven (73%) patients had B cell lymphoma, and 10 (27%) patients had T cell lymphoma. Indolent lymphoma was diagnosed in 14, and aggressive lymphoma in 23 patients. Performance status as assessed according to the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scale was 0 or 1 in 73%, and worse in 27% of patients. The presence of B symptoms was recorded in 49% of patients. Lymph nodes exceeding 5 cm in size were found in 35% of patients. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate > 40 mm/h was recorded in 43%, and hemoglobin values < 125 mg/L in 73% of patients. Leukocytes were within the normal limits, i.e. below 10 x 10(9)/L, in 81%, whereas lymphocytes were within the normal limits in 86% of patients. Thrombocytopenia was recorded in 24%, and bone marrow infiltration at the time of diagnosis in 65% of patients. Complete or partial response rate was achieved by first-line therapy in 73% of patients, whereas 27% of patients failed to respond or their condition worsened. Median of the expected survival was 60 months for indolent lymphomas and 29 months for aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Statistically relevant parameters for complete response in univariate analyses are performance status of the patient, International Prognostic Index and platelet count. In multivariate analysis, the only statistically independent prognostic factor is serum lactate dehydrogenase concentration (p = 0.037). The study confirmed the prognostic relevance of the parameters of the patient general condition according to the World Health Organization scale, International Prognostic Index and platelet count for complete response in univariate analyses. The only independent prognostic factor for the survival was serum lactate dehydrogenase concentration. The prognostic value of the International Prognostic Index was also confirmed.