[Results of the treatment of localized non-Hodgkin's lymphoma originated in the thyroid gland].

A total of 38 cases of localized non-Hodgkin's lymphoma originated in the thyroid gland were treated at the Department of Radiology, Osaka University Hospital from 1967 through 1986. There were 18 males and 20 females, and age ranged from 15 to 78, averaging 58 years. Fifteen cases were classified as clinical stage I and 23 as stage II. All cases were histologically confirmed, 15 by total or partial resection and 23 by open biopsy, and diffuse histiocytic was most common (18 cases) and diffuse lymphocytic, poorly differentiated was the next (15) after Rappaport classification. Those were further classified into intermediate grade after Working Formulation in 76% of the cases. In all patients local were controlled by radiotherapy by 40-50 Gy in 5 to 6 weeks. Local lesion was assessed as uncontrolled in only one patient at dose of 33 Gy, who was immunoblastic in histology, and with infiltration to local skin. No local relapse occurred after treatment. The relapse outside the treatment field was seen in 9 patients, all of which occurred in the abdomen. Overall 5 year survival rate and relapse-free rate were 72% and 64%, respectively. Five-year survival rate for Stages I and II were 84% and 63%, respectively (Z = 0.7445, N.S.). Five-year survival rate for thyroidal swelling with longer diameter less than 11 cm is 83%, whereas that with more than 12 cm is 61% (z = 0.7525, N.S.).