[Radiation therapy and mode of propagation of non-Hodgkin lymphomas (author's transl)]

Abstract

Out of a total number of 123 patients with non-Hodgkin lymphomas the result of local radiation therapy from 65 patients with lymphosarcomas or reticulosarcomas stage I or II are reported. In stage I, the tumor still being localized, there are good chances for recovery (3 or 4 years of survival without recurrenced in 75%). Already in stage II the percentages of a three-year survival without recurrences are reduced to 40% with lymphosarcomas and to 19% with recitulosarcomas. This most probably is due to an early, occult, already advanced cancerous spread, not having been recognized. More aggressive diagnostic measures for the staging, therefore, are recommandable. There are significant differences between lymphosarcomas and recitulosarcomas concerning their mode of propagation. Lymphosarcomas prefer the propagation into contiguous lymph node stations. With reticulosarcomas the generalisation to stage IV predominates at the first recurrence. For an improvement of the therapeutic results an irradiation is recommended which encompasses the adjacent lymphatics not yet being involved, the so-called "extended field technic". Early cytostatic therapy in stage II additionally has to be discussed, particularly for reticulosarcomas.