DIFFERENCES IN CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND MAJOR PROGNOSTIC FACTORS BETWEEN B-LYMPHOMA AND PERIPHERAL T-LYMPHOMA EXCLUDING ADULT T-CELL LEUKEMIA-LYMPHOMA

A total of 541 consecutive patients treated between 1975 and 1985, 449 with B-lymphoma and 92 with peripheral T-lymphoma, excluding adult T- cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL), termed peripheral non-ATL T-lymphoma, we re analysed. Clinicopathological features that were predominantly asso ciated with B-lymphoma were low and intermediate grades (defined by th e Working Formulation), diffuse large cell type, stage II disease, bul ky disease, favourable extranodal sites that are defined as a group of primary tumors such as the eye, Waldeyer's ring, thyroid, and stomach , while other features predominantly associated with peripheral non-AT L T-lymphoma were high grade pathology, diffuse mixed-cell and immunob lastic type, systemic ''B'' symptoms, poor performance status (PS), ge neralized lymphadenopathy, involvement of organs such as liver, skin, and nose, leucocytosis, and a high levels of serum alkaline phosphatas e. The survival curve for B-lymphoma was better (P < 0.01) than that f or peripheral non-ATL T-lymphoma. Multivariate analysis revealed that the major prognostic factors were pathology, stage, and primary site f or B-lymphoma, while stage, PS, and total protein levels were importan t for peripheral non-ATL T-lymphoma. These results indicate that B- an d peripheral non-ATL T-lymphomas appear to have different biological c haracteristics.