Malignant lymphomas: retrospective analysis from 25 autopsy cases.

Area of Science:

• Pathology
• Oncology
• Hematology

Background:

• Malignant lymphomas are a significant group of hematologic malignancies.
• Autopsy data provides valuable insights into disease presentation and outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To retrospectively analyze the characteristics and outcomes of malignant lymphoma cases from autopsy records.
• To identify common lymphoma subtypes and causes of mortality.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 25 malignant lymphoma cases.
• Data collected from the Autopsy file, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University (1978-1987).

Main Results:

• Majority of cases (over 50%) occurred in the 4th-7th decades, with a 2:1 male to female ratio.
• Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was predominant, primarily in advanced nodal stages.
• Diffuse large cell (histiocytic) lymphoma was the most frequent subtype, followed by small lymphocytic and lymphoblastic types.
• Infection was the leading cause of death (13 patients), followed by hemorrhage and disease complications.

Conclusions:

• Malignant lymphomas, particularly Non-Hodgkin's types, frequently present in advanced stages.
• Infection remains a critical factor contributing to mortality in lymphoma patients.
• Understanding autopsy findings is crucial for improving lymphoma diagnosis and patient management.