[Clinical aspects and therapy of anaplastic T-zone lymphoma]

Between 1 January 1975 and 30 June 1983 four anaplastic T-cell lymphomas (1.1%) were observed among 368 non-Hodgkin lymphomas. The median age was 61.5 years (range 33 and 76 years). Males and females were equally affected. At the time of diagnosis stage IIIM- was seen in three cases and stage IVM+ in one case. In three of the four patients a marked B-symptomatology was noted. The median Karnofsky index was below 50%. Due to cardiac failure two patients were treated with combined cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine and prednisone and a lasting complete remission was achieved in both cases. The two other patients were treated with combined bleomycin, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisone due to rapid progression. Lasting complete remissions were seen in the same manner. The median survival time is 42+ months, the Karnofsky index 100%.