[Malignant lymphoma: a study of an outpatient cohort]

Data from 168 patients with malignant lymphoma were collected. 57 had Hodgkin's disease, 76 suffered from non Hodgkin's lymphoma and 35 presented with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. All patients were treated between January 1980 and December 1986 at the medical policlinic of the university of Zurich either as in- or outpatients. Presentation at the time of diagnosis, therapeutic regimen and treatment success as well as prognostic features of disease were evaluated. Overall the therapeutic results in this patient cohort were good and comparable with the results of large prospective studies. Complete remission rate (CRR) was 91% and overall survival rate (OSR) after 5 years was 72% for Hodgkin's disease. In Non Hodgkin's lymphoma of low malignancy OSR was 60% after 5 years and 39% in NHL of intermediate or high malignancy. In NHL CRR varied according to histologic subtype. In Hodgkin's disease staging according to the Ann Arbor classification and extranodal involvement including the spleen proved meaningful for prognosis. In NHL the international working formulation (IWF) was a useful prognostic tool. Anemias, higher age and relapses carried a poorer prognosis whereas induction of remission was a favorable prognostic sign. For chronic lymphocytic leukemia staging according to Binet was found a useful prognostic criterion.