The Pattern of Malignant Lymphoma in India: A Study of 1371 Cases

A retrospective clinical and histopathological analysis was performed of 1371 patients with Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas presenting between January 1981 and December 1985. Pathologic material was reviewed and classified according to the modified Rappaport classification. The most common histologic type encountered was diffuse histiocytic lymphoma (29.5%), followed by diffuse poorly differentiated lymphoma (28%). A very low incidence of nodular lymphomas (10.6%) was seen. Twenty three percent of the patients had clinically stage 1 disease; 24.6% stage 11; 25.9% stage 111 and 26.2% stage IV disease. Bone marrow involvement was seen in 22.6% of patients. B symptoms were seen in 23.9% of patients. Primary extranodal lymphoma was seen in 307 (22.4%) patients. The commonest site of extranodal involvement was head and neck (36.1%) followed by gastrointestinal tract (24.4%). Treatment results could be analysed in only 599 patients. The response rate was 89% and complete response was seen in 67.5% patients. The overall survival for treated patients was 37.5% after 36 months, which is comparable to that reported by other investigators. This series is compared with different series reported from Asian as well as Western countries in order to highlight some common features as well as other major differences.