Prognostic factors in malignant lymphomas (Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin)

The prognosis of malignant lymphomas, Hodgkin (HL) and non-Hodgkin (NHL), varies in a very wide range, from a 60-70% survival at 10 years in HL to a median survival of 2-3 years in high-grade NHL. Tumor characteristics, host characteristics, factors related to the impact of the tumor on the host and treatment effectiveness are the main components of prognosis, the last factor being complementary to the first three. An extremely large number of parameters have been considered important for prognosis inasmuch as related to differences in survival at univariate analysis: hematologic variables at onset, humoral markers, cytologic, cytochemical and cytogenetic data. It is well known, however, that multivariate analysis dramatically reduces the number of factors, singly evaluated as important, to only those retaining a true, independent prognostic role.