Primary extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL): the impact of alternative definitions tested in the Comprehensive Cancer Centre West population-based NHL registry

Abstract

Background: The definition of primary extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is a controversial issue, especially in patients where both nodal and extranodal sites are involved.

Patients and methods: The impact of different definitions of primary extranodal NHL on incidence and prognosis is explored using data from a population-based NHL registry.

Results: Using liberal criteria, 389 (34%) cases were classified as primary extranodal NHL. Overall survival (OS) rates of nodal and extranodal NHL patients defined this way were comparable; however, extranodal NHL patients had a better disease-free survival (DFS). When strict criteria were applied, 231 cases (20%) were classified as primary extranodal NHL. OS and DFS rates of extranodal NHL patients defined this way were superior to nodal NHL patients; however, the difference in OS was reversed after correction for differences in International Prognostic Index and malignancy grade.

Conclusion: This study illustrates the selection bias that is introduced when a strict definition of primary extranodal NHL, that excludes cases with disseminated disease, is used. Patients with primary extranodal NHL were found to have a superior DFS, irrespective of which definition of primary extranodal NHL was used.