Malignant lymphoid tumors of lymph nodes in the adult

Data concerning the lymphoid tumors apparently primary in lymph nodes are very sparse. The importance of distinguishing the lymph node tumors from those arising in extranodal sites has been recently reemphasized. This retrospective study of the malignant lymphoid tumors of lymph nodes was undertaken with the objective of providing greater understanding of their natural history. Therefore, the clinical data and the histologic material of 126 previously untreated adults with malignant lymphoid tumors of lymph nodes seen from 1949 through 1970 were reviewed; patients with evidence of leukemia were excluded. There were nearly equal numbers of patients with nodular and diffuse histologic patterns. Comparisons between the nodular and diffuse groups reveal differences in age and sex distributions, sites of involvement at initial presentation, distribution by clinical stage, post treatment progression of disease, pattern of survival, and long term prognosis. No differences in prognosis could be identified within the cytologic subgroups. Indolent progression within the lymph node system, and the efficacy of irradiation in local control of these tumors suggest an improvement in outlook.