BACKGROUND: Ki-1 positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma is a rare type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), and has not been extensively described in Asian patients. AIM: To evaluate the clinical characteristics, prognostic factors and treatment outcome of Ki-1 positive lymphoma in an Asian community. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all patients with CD30 antigen positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma from 1987 to 1996 in a single institution. RESULTS: Of 218 patients with NHL, ten (5%) were identified with Ki-1 positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Eight were Chinese, two Indians. The male:female ratio was 1.5:1, and the median age was 32 years. Seven patients presented with B-symptoms, and five had stage III/IV disease. The majority (seven of ten) was low- or low-intermediate risk according to the International Prognostic Index (IPI). Four out of five cases immunophenotyped showed a T-cell origin. Five out of eight patients who received first-line combination chemotherapy achieved a complete remission. Two relapsed, with one being re-induced into a durable second remission. One patient with recurrent cutaneous lymphoma received solely radiotherapy and was disease-free at 20+ years from diagnosis. At analysis, two patients had died, five were disease-free at four, 27, 78, 89 months and 20 years respectively, and three were alive with disease. The IPI appears to have prognostic significance. CONCLUSION: Incidence and clinical characteristics in our Asian patients were similar to those described in Western populations. The IPI appears to have prognostic relevance. In approximately one-third of patients, long term survival can be achieved with standard treatment.
BACKGROUND:Ki-1 positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma is a rare type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), and has not been extensively described in Asian patients. AIM: To evaluate the clinical characteristics, prognostic factors and treatment outcome of Ki-1 positive lymphoma in an Asian community. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all patients with CD30 antigen positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma from 1987 to 1996 in a single institution. RESULTS: Of 218 patients with NHL, ten (5%) were identified with Ki-1 positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Eight were Chinese, two Indians. The male:female ratio was 1.5:1, and the median age was 32 years. Seven patients presented with B-symptoms, and five had stage III/IV disease. The majority (seven of ten) was low- or low-intermediate risk according to the International Prognostic Index (IPI). Four out of five cases immunophenotyped showed a T-cell origin. Five out of eight patients who received first-line combination chemotherapy achieved a complete remission. Two relapsed, with one being re-induced into a durable second remission. One patient with recurrent cutaneous lymphoma received solely radiotherapy and was disease-free at 20+ years from diagnosis. At analysis, two patients had died, five were disease-free at four, 27, 78, 89 months and 20 years respectively, and three were alive with disease. The IPI appears to have prognostic significance. CONCLUSION: Incidence and clinical characteristics in our Asian patients were similar to those described in Western populations. The IPI appears to have prognostic relevance. In approximately one-third of patients, long term survival can be achieved with standard treatment.