IDENTIFICATION OF PROGNOSTIC GROUPS IN FOLLICULAR LYMPHOMA

Follicular lymphoma is often seen as an indolent disease with a reason able medium-term survival. We have used the information in the Scotlan d and Newcastle Lymphoma Group database to devise an index which is ea sily calculated and differentiates patients into poor, intermediate an d good prognostic groups with 5 year survivals of 24%, 61% and 86% res pectively. The key factors at presentation are age, ECOG performance s tatus, stage and the presence or absence of B symptoms or gastro-intes tinal tract involvement. The use of such an index permits early identi fication of patients with a poor prognosis for whom more intensive tre atment could be offered.