[Significance of clinical and laboratory chemical parameters for the course and prognosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas].

Using a regression model, the prognostic significance of clinical and biochemical parameters as well as of histology was analyzed in a group of 336 patients with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. A stochastic process model was used for evaluation of the course of disease. With respect to overall survival, serum-LDH-activity, performance status, and the histologically defined grade of malignancy were found to be the most important prognostic parameters, as well as age, though that to a lesser extent. In the course of disease, stage was the most relevant factor for achievement of a complete remission. In patients without remission, survival was determined mainly by histology and serum-LDH-activity; the latter was also of importance for duration of remission. Our study shows that histology is not the only prognostic factor in NHL but that other parameters, mainly serum-LDH-activity and performance status, also have to be considered in comparing different groups of patients.