Primary reticulosarcoma of bone (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma). A study of 12 cases

Reticulosarcoma, nowadays usually referred to as non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma, is a particularly rare primary bone tumour. This study includes 12 cases observed over more than 15 years. The favourable clinical course of the tumour, and the use of complementary therapy justify a more extensive use of surgical treatment. Five cases were submitted to surgery plus complementary chemotherapy; two resections of the tibia, one of the humerus, one scapulectomy and one disarticulation of the hip. The remaining 7 cases were treated by radiation therapy. The overall prognosis of the disease is not very favourable (25% survival rate) although its slow progress gives a favourable clinical impression. Treatment may, however, influence the prognosis; much better results are obtained by radical surgery with complementary chemotherapy. In one resection of the tibial diaphysis and one radical scapulectomy there was no local recurrence or metastases at 3 and 4 years follow-up, whereas cases treated previously by less radical surgery and inadequate chemotherapy, although showing no local recurrence, did result in systemic diffusion of the disease.