Apparently localized and regionally advanced malignant lymphoreticular tumors in the adult. Early course following irradiation

The clinical records of all adults with lymphosarcoma and reticulum cell sarcoma treated at the Institut Gustave Roussy, from 1962 through 1967, were reviewed. The 68 previously untreated patients with localized or regionally advanced disease whose pretreatment evaluation included lymphography were studied in detail. The initial clinical characteristics, techniques and results of irradiation, subsequent course, and principal prognostic factors are analyzed. The data indicate that two distinct diseases are involved: apparently purely nodal lymphoreticular tumors which have an indolent course, but may manifest further disease long after the initial treatment, and extranodal tumors which seem either to be controlled permanently or to have very rapid progression. The nodal tumors tend to spread contiguously, and might be controlled by more extensive prophylactic irradiation. The extranodal lesions (including those of Waldeyer's ring) spread to distant sites and seem not as likely to be controlled by extending the prophylactic irradiation.