[Prognostic parameters in patients with advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma]

Ninety-five patients with advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) were studied to evaluate parameters affecting their survival. The median survival time was 52 months (range 3-107 months). The log-rank test was used to analyse the data. Favourable parameters that significantly influenced actuarial survival were nodular histology (P = 0.01), age less than 50 years (P = 0.002), good performance status (P = 0.006), and normal serum lactate dehydrogenase, SGOT and alkaline phosphatase levels. The absence of systemic symptoms, namely weight loss in excess of 10%, fever or night sweats, had less prognostic implication. Sex and stage (III or IV) did not significantly affect survival.