Significance of haematological parameters in the non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphomas.

Blood findings at diagnosis, in 140 adults with lymphoma, were correlated with bone marrow involvement and survival. An abnormal haemoglobin, leucocyte count or platelet count was found in 57% of patients. Lymphocytopenia occurred in 46%. All patients with thrombocytopenia or neutropenia, 69% with leucopenia and 63% with anaemia had marrow involvement with lymphoma. Marrow involvement in histiocytic and stem cell lymphoma was always associated with anaemia. Marrow involvement in poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma (PDL) was associated with anaemia, thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, lymphocytopenia or lymphoma cells in the blood in 93% of patients. Bone marrow involvement was found in only 13% of patients with normal haematological parameters. In the absence of marrow involvement blood abnormalities at diagnosis did not generally correlate with survival. However, among patients with diffuse PDL who had marrow involvement, anaemia, thrombocytopenia and leucopenia adversely affected survival. Lymphocytopenia did not correlate with survival.