NODULAR POORLY DIFFERENTIATED LYMPHOCYTIC LYMPHOMA - CHANGES IN HISTOLOGY AND SURVIVAL

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 65  (11-1) , 929-933
Abstract
Lymphoma patients with a nodular pattern have a better prognosis than those with a diffuse pattern. Histologic evolution from nodular to diffuse may occur during the course of the disease in the same patient. This change in pattern may be of prognostic significance. A total of 56 patients with an initial diagnosis of nodular poorly differentiated lymphoma seen over a 12-yr period (1966-1978) were reviewed. Thirty-five patients had biopsies after initial diagnosis; 28 of the cases could be classified as nodular or diffuse. Eleven of the 56 cases evolved from a nodular to a diffuse pattern. Forty-four of the 56 patients achieved a complete remission and were evaluated for survival. The median survival (66+ mo.) for patients who have never relapsed is similar to that for patients who relapsed with a nodular pattern (70 mo.) and patients who relapsed with a diffuse pattern (73 mo.). Relapse with a nodular pattern occurred at a median of 27 mo. after initial diagnosis; relapse with a diffuse pattern occurred at a median of 49 mo. Although overall survival in patients relapsing with nodular or diffuse disease is similar, median survival from relapse with nodular disease is longer (32+ mo.) than median survival with diffuse disease (17 mo.) (P = 0.068).