Abstract

PURPOSE
International Prognostic Index Model (IPIM) in aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was published and accepted generally as a better predictive model for prognosis. This study was undertaken to identify prognostic factors of aggressive non- Hodgkin's lymphoma and usefulness of IPIM in Korea.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Previously untreated, pathologically proven 226 aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients who were treated with CHOP or COP-BLAM V between 1986 and 1995 in Seoul National University Hospital were evaluated for clinical features predictive of overall survival.
RESULTS
Complete response (CR) was reached in 76% of all patients. With a median follow-up of 62 months, 5-year disease free survival of complete reponders was 67% and 5-year overall survival of all patients was 54%. In a univriate analysis, age, ECOG performance status, Ann Arbor stage, histologic subtype, bone marrow involvement, bulkiness, serum LDH level and number of extranodal involvement were significant prognostic factors for CR and survival (p<0.05). Of these, by multivariate analysis, age(RR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2~0.9) alone was a independent prognostic factor for CR. For disease free survival, no independent prognostic factor was found. For overall survival, Ann Arbor stage (RR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1~2.8), age (RR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1~2.6), Histologic subtype (RR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1~2.8), serum LDH level (RR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1~2.6) and bone marrow involvement (RR 1.8, 95% CI 1.0~3.1) were independent prognostic factors. According to risk group of IPIM, 5-year overall survival rate was 72% in low risk group, 46% in low intermediate risk group, 32% in high intermediate risk group, respectively, and median survival of high risk group was 12 months (RR 1, 2.3, 4.3, 6.4 respectively).
CONCLUSION
IPIM is a useful model for identifying poor prognostic groups in aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.