Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of the large bowel-clinical characteristics, prognostic factors and survival.

The aims of this study were to review the clinical presentation of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of the large bowel, to analyze the prognostic factors using univariate and multivariate methods, as well as the overall survival. We identified 24 cases at our clinic between 1991 and 2005, based on pathohistological analysis and standard diagnostic criteria established by Dawson et al. They accounted for 1.2% of all cases of the large bowel malignancies (24/2021) during this period. The following clinical information such as age, gender, symptoms, tumor localization, operation performed, histology grade, stage of disease, and adjuvant chemotherapy was obtained. Survival function was expressed by Kaplan-Meier curve and Log-rank test was performed for the difference in survival between two patient groups. Multivariate analysis was carried out using the Cox proportional hazard model. Overall mean survival time was 41.91 months. According to the univariete analysis, the factors influencing overall survival rate was operation type (elective and emergent). Tumor stage and operation type were independent prognostic factors for survival, as determined by multivariate analysis. Our results showed that tumor stage and operation type should be considered as the most important prognostic factors in patients with primary non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of the large bowel.