Surgical aspects of lymphoma.

Improvements in histologic classification, staging and multimodality therapy have dramatically changed the natural history of patients with lymphoma. Systematic staging accurately defines the extent of disease and minimizes the toxic effects of excessive treatment. Surgical diagnosis and staging with laparotomy provide the basis for choosing methods of definitive radiotherapy and chemotherapy for selected patients. Patients with extranodal disease in early stages may be treated effectively by surgical excision.