Objective: To explore the clinical and pathological characteristics of true histiocytic lymphoma.
Methods: The clinical and pathological data of 10 true histiocytic lymphoma patients admitted between 1986 and 1996 to our hospital was retrospectively reviewed.
Results: True histiocytic lymphoma accounted for 0.6% of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma(NHL) admitted in this period to our hospital. Enzymes associated with true histiocytic lymphoma were detected in all the 10 cases. The tumor cells were excluded from T/B lymphoid origin in 6 cases by immunohistochemistry. Eight cases received chemotherapy + irradiation +/- excision of primary lesion, 1 simply received irradiation and 1 received bone marrow transplantation. The response rate was 100%, with a 1, 3 and 5 year survival rate of 100%, 90% and 70%, respectively. The expected 10 year disease free survival rate is 40%.
Conclusion: True histiocytic lymphoma is a rare subset of NHL. Those originated from lymph node are sensitive to chemotherapy and irradiation with a favorable prognosis.