Prognostic factors and response to treatment in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (review)

This review outlines the major prognostic factors as derived from multivariate analysis of recent therapeutic studies in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Age at diagnosis (greater than or equal to 60 years vs less than or equal to 60 years), total number of involved sites, tumor bulk (mass size greater than or equal to 10 cm vs less than 10 cm), serum LDH (greater than or equal to 500 Units) and prompt achievement of complete remission following intensive combination regimens appear to be the most important variables predicting for cure in aggressive lymphomas. The clinical prognostic factors in follicular lymphomas were less extensively evaluated through Cox multiple regression analysis compared to large cell lymphomas. These factors include systemic symptoms, hepatosplenomegaly, anemia, as well as response to treatment. Treatment guidelines are provided in relation to high-risk and low-risk subsets rather than the classical stage assignment.