The total non-Hodgkin's lymphoma-population between 1960 and 1985 treated by means of radiotherapy or combined radio-chemotherapy in the Medical Academy Dresden was analysed prognostically. 247 patients were classified according to previous scheme, 79 were subdivided on the basis of the recommendations of the Kiel-classification. The remission rates and survival curves achieved bear comparison with international literature (remission rates for the low-malignancy group = 85.3% and for the high-malignancy group = 80.0%; 5-year survival rates for the low-malignancy group = 61.9% and for the high-malignancy group = 41.7%). The influence of histology, clinical stage and involvement of organs is discussed according to our results and information from appropriate reference sources. Our analysis confirms the high importance of a common radiologic-internal outpatient department for coordination of the diagnostic and therapeutic programme. Principles of treatment are presented with special respect to polychemotherapy.