Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in Sheffield 1971-1980

Data from a study of 342 patients with histologically proven non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treated in Sheffield between 1970-1979 is presented. The Working Formulation for Clinical Usage (National Cancer Institute, 1982) has been applied to histology reviews. The overall 5 year survival was 34.2%. Analysis of data by two factor contingency table analysis of possible prognostic indices showed the favourable effects of low grade histology, localized extranodal staging, asymptomatic (A) status, complete response to initial therapy, high haemoglobin and normal ESR. Unfavourable markers were stage IV disease, histology other than low grade, older age, low haemoglobin and elevated ESR. One hundred and ten cases initially referred to our centre as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were not histologically acceptable as such, one third of these showed reactive hyperplasia only. A broad spectrum of extra nodal lymphoma was seen in the series (78 patients, 23%); the commonest sites being Waldeyer's ring, gastrointestinal tract, thyroid and skin. Necropsy (50 patients) confirmed that infection, usually bronchopneumonia, in association with persistent lymphoma was the commonest cause of death.