Clinicopathological characteristics of primary Ki-1 anaplastic large cell lymphoma

The clinical findings and prognosis in 15 patients with primary Ki-1 anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) were analyzed and compared with those of patients with T cell and B cell lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease. Clinical data revealed lymphadenopathy in 13 patients (87%) and skin lesions in eight (53%). Other organic involvements were hepatomegaly in two patients (13%), splenomegaly in five (33%), and bone marrow involvement in three (20%). The rate of skin involvement was significantly higher than that in B cell lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease. In laboratory findings the gamma-globulin concentration was significantly higher than that in T cell lymphoma, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was significantly higher than that in B cell lymphoma. Complete remission was achieved in 11 patients (73%) and the five-year relapse-free survival was 27%. The overall survival was 4.0-69.8 months (mean 30.6 months). The mean survival was compatible with that of T cell lymphoma and was significantly shorter than that in Hodgkin's disease. Ki-1 ALCL can be distinguished from other lymphomas clinically as well as pathologically. Because Ki-1 ALCL is chemosensitive and the prognosis is as poor as that of T cell lymphoma, aggressive chemotherapy should be employed for the treatment of this disease.