A Multidisciplinaly Study for Staging of Malignant Lymphoma

Abstract

In order to improve treatment of malignant lymphoma, a multidisciplinaly study group for the treatment of malignant lymphoma has been established at Nihon University School of Medicine in December, 1980. The members of the group consist of specialists of internal medicine, surgery, otolaryngology, radiology and pathology. The members meet together regularly and discuss about staging and treatment plans for each patient with malignant lymphoma. Since December, 1980, one hundred four cases (NHL 81 and HD 23) were entered into the group study. We compared these with 46 cases (NHL 39 and HD 7) which were treated prior to starting this group study as control.
The conclusions were as follows:
(1) Procedures for staging, including lymphography, CT scanning, Galium scanning, bone marrow aspiration, and bone marrow biopsy were performed more frequently in this group study.
(2) Frequency of organ invasions by lymphoma was higher in this group study.
(3) Since starting this group study, the relapse rate of NHL in stage I and II was reduced significantly from 42% to 13% in 6 months and 60% to 31% in 12 months respectively.