Malignant histiocytosis. Clinical findings and therapy.

Diagnosis of malignant histiocytosis (MH) was confirmed in 16 patients. Stage at diagnosis was I-II in nine, and III-IV in seven patients. Porr prognosis and "B",-symptoms were correlated to advanced stages. Bone marrow biopsy proved most useful to verify organ involvement. Scintigraphy and computerized tomography, too, detected organ involvement in some patients and were helpful for judging response to therapy. Relapses after radiotherapy were frequent. Polychemotherapy using "CHOP"-combination is recommended for most patients and may in stages I-II be supplemented by primary or secondary involved or extended field irradiation and in more advanced stages by mainbulk-irradiation. The value of prophylactic CNS-therapy remains controversial. Pathophysiological aspects and differential diagnosis are discussed.