Clinical study of chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma

BACKGROUND Chemotherapy for malignant tumors can cause brain changes and cognitive impairment,leading to chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment(CICI).Current research on CICI has focused on breast cancer and Hodgkin’s lymphoma.Whether patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma(NHL)undergoing chemo-therapy have cognitive impairment has not been fully investigated.therapy have cognitive impairment has not been fully investigated.AIM To investigate whether NHL patients undergoing chemotherapy had cognitive impairments.METHODS The study included 100 NHL patients who were required to complete a compre-hensive psychological scale including the Brief Psychiatric Examination Scale(MMSE)at two time points:before chemotherapy and within 2 wk of two chemo-therapy courses.A language proficiency test(VFT),Symbol Number Pattern Test(SDMT),Clock Drawing Test(CDT),Abbreviated Daily Cognition Scale(ECog-12),Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire,and Karnofsky Perfor-mance Status were used to assess cognitive changes before and after chemo-therapy.RESULTS The VFT scores for before treatment(BT)and after treatment(AT)groups were 45.20±15.62,and 42.30±17.53,respectively(t-2.16,P<0.05).The CDT scores were 8(3.5-9.25)for BT and 7(2.5-9)for AT groups(Z-2.1,P<0.05).Retrospective memory scores were 13.5(9-17)for BT and 15(13-18)for AT(Z-3.7,P<0.01).The prospective memory scores were 12.63±3.61 for BT and 14.43±4.32 for AT groups(t-4.97,P<0.01).The ECog-12 scores were 1.71(1.25-2.08)for BT and 1.79(1.42-2.08)for AT groups(Z-2.84,P<0.01).The SDMT and MMSE values did not show a significant difference between BT and AT groups.CONCLUSION Compared to the AT group,the BT group showed impaired language,memory,and subjective cognition,but objec-tive cognition and execution were not significantly affected.

Primary Non-Hodgkin’s Malignant Lymphoma of the Uterus at the Reference Hospital of Maradi/Niger: A Case Report

Malignant non-Hodgkins lymphoma (MHNL) of the uterus is uncommon. We report a case diagnosed on the basis of histologic and immunohistochemical studies of a hysterectomy specimen induced by a very painful pelvic mass in a 50-year-old patient with no previous history of the disease. It was classified as Ann Arbor IV Bb after imaging, given the medullary infiltration and signs of clinical and biological evolutivity: the patient had received two courses of chemotherapy, CHOP protocol. She died 23 days after the second treatment due to a hypertensive crisis.

HCV infection, B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and immunochemotherapy: Evidence and open questions

There is plenty of data confirming that hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a predisposing factor for a B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL) outbreak, while relatively few reports have addressed the role of HCV in affecting B-NHL patients' outcome. HCV infection may influence the short-term outcome of B-NHL because of the emergence of severe hepatic toxicity (HT) during immunochemotherapy. Furthermore, the long term outcome of HCV-related liver disease and patients' quality of life will possibly be affected by Rituximab maintenance, multiple-lines of toxicity during chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In this review, data dealing with aggressive and low-grade B-NHL were separately analyzed. The few retrospective papers reporting on aggressive B-NHL patients showed that HCV infection is a risk factor for the outbreak of severe HT during treatment. This adverse event not infrequently leads to the reduction of treatment density and intensity. Existing papers report that low-grade B-NHL patients with HCV infection may have a more widespread disease, more frequent relapses or a lower ORR compared to HCV-negative patients. Notwithstanding, there is no statistical evidence that the prognosis of HCV-positive patients is inferior to that of HCV-negative subjects. HCV-positive prospective studies and longer follow-up are necessary to ascertain if HCV-positive B-NHL patients have inferior outcomes and if there are long term sequels of immunochemotherapies on the progression of liver disease.

Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma with Right Atrial Intra Cardiac Metastases

Background: Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most variant of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) and also the most common variant with secondary intracardiac masses. Case summary: 7 years old child presented to emergency with acute decompensated cardiac failure, ascites and tender hepatomegaly. 2D echo evaluation was suggestive of large intracardiac mass in the right atrium almost completely obstructing Tricuspid valve orifice, gross pericardial effusion and dilated Inferior Vena Cava (IVC). Emergency tumor excision surgery was performed which revealed 4 × 4 cm pinkish firm mass arising from anterior Tricuspid annulus which was completely excised. Child was extubated on postoperative day (POD) 0 and was on minimal inotropic support. Ascites reduced significantly on POD1 allowing abdominal palpation which revealed a mass in the epigastric region. This prompted evaluation by pediatrician and oncology workup suggestive of increased 18-Flouro Deoxy Glucose (18-FDG) uptake in the mediastinum, abdomen, bilateral proximal thighs, all mediastinal lymph nodal stations, bilateral lung hilar stations 10R, 10L involving all encasing the heart and great vessels with pleural deposits, Celiac trunk, superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA), Portal vein, IVC and abdominal aorta. Histo pathology Examination (HPE) and Immuno Histo Chemistry (IHC) of intracardiac mass revealed DLBCL which is metastatic in nature. Chemotherapy was started as per (French American British Lymphomes Malins B) FAB LMB-96 protocol with the child currently in the Induction phase having poor prognosis and less survival interval. Conclusion: Surgery can be considered a treatment option for metastatic intracardiac masses during emergency scenarios like cardiogenic shock to relieve obstruction along the pathway of blood flow in the heart even though we may not be able to completely excise the tumor surgically.

The role of radiotherapy in patients with refractory Hodgkin’s lymphoma after treatment with brentuximab vedotin and/or immune checkpoint inhibitors

Background:Approximately 10%–30%of patients with Hodgkin’s lymphoma(HL)experience relapse or refractory(R/R)disease after first-line standard therapy.Brentuximab vedotin(BV)and immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)have important roles in the salvage treatment of R/R HL.However,subsequent treatment for HL refractory to BV and/or ICI treatment is challenging.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed patients in two institutions who had R/R HL,experienced BV or ICI treatment failure,and received radiotherapy(RT)thereafter.The overall response rate(ORR),duration of response(DOR),progression-free survival(PFS),and overall survival(OS)were analyzed.Results:Overall,19 patients were enrolled.First-line systemic therapy comprised doxorubicin,bleomycin,vinblastine,and dacarbazine(ABVD,84.2%);AVD plus ICIs(10.5%);and bleomycin,etoposide,doxorubicin,cyclophosphamide,vincristine,procarbazine,and prednisone(BEACOPP,5.3%).After first-line therapy,15(78.9%)and four patients(21.1%)had refractory disease and relapsed,respectively.After R/R HL diagnosis,six(31.6%),two(10.5%),and 11(57.9%)patients received BV and ICIs concurrently,BV monotherapy,and ICI monotherapy,respectively.All patients received intensity-modulated RT(n=12,63.2%)or volumetric modulated arc therapy(VMAT;n=7,36.8%).The ORR as well as the complete response(CR)rate was 100%;the median DOR to RT was 17.2 months(range,7.9–46.7 months).Two patients showed progression outside the radiation field;one patient had extensive in-field,out-of-field,nodal,and extranodal relapse.With a median follow-up time of 16.2 months(range,9.2–23.2 months),the 1-year PFS and OS were 84.4%and 100%,respectively.PFS was associated with extranodal involvement(P=0.019)and gross tumor volume(P=0.044).All patients tolerated RT well without adverse events of grade≥3.Conclusion:RT is effective and safe for treating HL refractory to BV or ICIs and has the potential to be part of a comprehensive strategy for HL.

Autologous peripheral blood stem cell mobilization following dose-adjusted cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone chemotherapy alone or in combination with rituximab in treating high-risk non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Background: The regimen of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone(CHOP) is an eicient treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma(NHL). This study aimed to assess the eicacy and toxicity of dose-adjusted CHOP alone or in combination with rituximab(R-CHOP) by examining the stem cell mobilization in NHL patients. Factors afecting the collection of CD34+ cells were also explored.Methods: Our retrospective study included 39 patients eligible for autologous stem cell transplantation: 14 patients who expressed CD20 and were inancially eligible received R-CHOP for autologous peripheral blood stem cell(APBSC) mobilization; the remaining 25 patients received CHOP.Results: The median CD34+ cell yield was 7.01 × 106 cells/kg body weight(range 1.49–28.39 × 106 cells/kg body weight), with only two patients failing to meet the target CD34+ cell harvest of ber of apheresis procedures per patient was 1(range 1–3). The≥2.0 APBS× 106 cells/kg body weight. The median numC mobilization yield of the CHOP group appeared to be higher than that of the R-CHOP group(P response(CR) rate in = 0.005), whereas the success rate was similar between groups. R-CHOP elevated the completeB cell lymphoma patients as compared with CHOP(P = 0.01). No signiicant diferences in toxicity or engraftment were observed between the two groups.Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that dose-adjusted CHOP chemotherapy efectively mobilized APBSCs in NHL patients and that the addition of rituximab to dose-adjusted CHOP chemotherapy elevated the CR rate for patients with B-cell lymphoma.

Positron emission tomography/computerized tomography in the evaluation of primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of prostate

Primary malignant lymphoma of the prostate is exceedingly rare.Here we report a case of a 65-year-old man who presented with increased urinary frequency,urinary urgency,and urinary incontinence for two years.Benign prostatic hypertrophy was suspected at primary impression.Ultrasound revealed a hypoechoic lesion of the prostate.The total serum prostate-specific antigen was within normal range.Positron emission tomography/computerized tomography(PET/CT)showed a hypermetabolic prostatic lesion.Prostate biopsy was consistent with a non-germinal center diffuse large B cell lymphoma.There was complete remission of the prostatic lesion following six cycles of chemotherapy as shown on the second PET/CT imaging.18F-fluoro-deoxy glucose PET/CT is not only a complement to conventional imaging,but also plays a significant role in the diagnosis and evaluation of treatment response of prostatic lymphoma.

Simultaneous occurrence of a hepatocellular carcinoma and a hepatic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma infi ltration

To investigate the simultaneous occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, we report the case of a 70 year old patient with a primary diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2002. In a routine follow up investigation of his chronic lymphocytic leukemia a newly detected mass in the Couinaud's segments 2 and 3 was found. No hepatitis C virus or hepatitis B virus infection or cirrhosis was evident. After laparoscopic segmentectomy the histological examination revealed a hepatocellular carcinoma. While the relation between liver parenchyma damages and hepatocellular carcinoma or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is well known, only a few publications have focused on the coexistence of hepatocellular carcinoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. With this case we demonstrate the coexistence of these diseases without having a pre- damaged liver parenchyma.

Correlation between Increased Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Stage of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

This study aims to examine the levels of circulating endothelial progenitor cells （cEPCs） in the peripheral blood of patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma （NHL） and their correlation with the tumor stage. Forty-one patients with biopsy-proven NHL and 16 healthy individuals were recruited. Pe- ripheral blood mononuclear cells （PBMCs） were isolated by density gradient centrifugation, and cEPCs were characterized by triple staining using antibodies against CD133, CD34 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 （VEGFR-2, CD309） and quantified by flow cytometry. In NHL patients, the number of cEPCs was significantly greater than in control group （P=-0.000）. The cEPCs counts in patients with NHL of stage III-1V were significantly greater than in stage I -II （P=-0.010）. FACS analysis revealed that the number of cEPCs in NHL patients had no correlation with the gender （P=0.401） or the pathological category （P=0.852）. It was suggested that the over-expression of cEPCs in NHL patients may serve as a novel biomarker for disease progression in NHL.

Hepatitis C virus and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas:Metaanalysisof epidemiology data and therapy options

Hepatitis C virus(HCV) is a global health problem affecting a large fraction of the world's population: This virus is able to determine both hepatic and extrahepatic diseases. Mixed cryoglobulinemia, a B-cell "benign" lymphoproliferative disorders, represents the most closely related as well as the most investigated HCVrelated extrahepatic disorder. Since this virus is able to determine extrahepatic [non-Hodgkin's lymphoma(NHL)] as well as hepatic malignancies(hepatocellular carcinoma), HCV has been included among human cancer viruses. The most common histological types of HCV-associated NHL are the marginal zone, the lymphoplasmacytic and diffuse large cell lymphomas. The role of the HCV in the pathogenesis of the B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders is confirmed also by the responsiveness of the NHL to antiviral therapy. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the recent literature and a meta analysis of the epidemiology data, to explain the role of HCV in the development of NHL's lymphoma. Furthermore, the possibility to treat these HCV-related NHL with the antiviral therapy or with other therapeutic options, like chemotherapy, is also discussed.

Hepatitis viruses and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: A review

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma(NHL) is among the haematological malignancies with high prevalence worldwide, causing estimated 355 900 new cases and 191 400 deaths in 2008. High prevalence of NHL is documented in economically more developed areas while low prevalence is observed in less developed areas of the globe. A wide array of environmental factors have been reported to be either directly involved or in modifying the risk of NHL development. In addition to these factors, a number of infectious agents, chiefly viruses have also been implicated in the development of NHL. This article reviews the available literature to discuss the role of hepatitis viruses in NHL development, possible mechanisms of lymphomagenesis and also identify the areas in which further research is required to better understand this disease. A brief discussion on the clinical aspects such as classification, staging, treatment approaches have also been included in this article.

Prognostic value of pre-and post-transplantation 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography results in non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients receiving autologous stem cell transplantation

Objective： High-dose chemotherapy （HDC） followed by autologous stem cell transplantation （ASCT） is the standard of care in the upfront or relapsed/refractory setting in some patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma （NHL）. However, a proportion of patients do not respond to ASCT. lSF-fluorodeoxyglueose （FDG） positron emission tomography （PET）/computed tomography （CT） has been widely used for staging, response evaluation, and prognosis prediction. Here, we investigated the prognostic role of PET/CT in NHL patients before and after ASCT. Methods： A retrospective study was conducted at Peking University Cancer Hospital. All NHL patients who underwent ASCT between March 2010 and July 2016 were identified. Patients who had PET/CT scan before and after ASCT were included. Deauville criteria （5-point scale） were used to interpret PET scans. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed using Cox regression. The predictive value of PET scanning was estimated by comparing the area under the receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve. Results： In total, 79 patients were enrolled in this study. In univariate analysis, pre- and post-ASCT PET result was identified as prognostic factors for 3-year progression-free survival （PFS） and overall survival （OS）. Patients with negative pre-ASCT PET result demonstrated significantly better PFS （84.2% vs. 54.2%） and OS （89.2% vs. 63.6%） than patients with positive pre-ASCT PET result. PFS （91.6% vs. 25.3%） and OS （96.5% vs. 36.8%） were also significantly different between patients with negative and positive post-ASCT PET result. Multivariate analysis also showed a significant association between survival and post-ASCT PET result. ROC analysis revealed that the predictive value of post-ASCT PET result was superior to that of pre-ASCT PET result alone. Combined pre- and post-ASCT PET result is better for predicting outcomes in patients with NHL receiving transplantation. Deauville criteria score 〉3 was identified as the best cutoffvalue for post-ASCT PET. Conclusions： Post-ASCT PET result was more important than pre-ASCT PET result in predicting outcomes for NHL patients who underwent ASCT. The prognostic significance can be improved when combining pre- ASCT PET result with post-ASCT PET result. Deauville criteria can be used for interpreting PET scans in this scenario.

Expression of survivin in Human Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and Its Correlation with Proliferation and Angiogenesis

In order to investigate the expression change of survivin in non-Hodgkin lymphoma （NHL） and its possible effects on NHL development, the expression of survivin, Ki-67, caspase3 and FⅧRAg in reactive lymphoid hyperplasia （RH） and NHL was detected by immunohistochemical assay, and apoptosis index （AI） in RH and NHL by TUNEL analysis. The results showed that the expression of survivin is significantly higher in aggressive NHL than in indolent NHL （P〈0.01）, while there was no statistically significant difference between RH and indolent NHL （P〉0.05）. The expres- sion of survivin had a significantly positive correlation with the expression of Ki-67 and FVSRAg （r=0.6495, 0.6635, respectively, both P〈0.01）, and a negative correlation with the expression of caspase3 and AI （r=-0.5820, -0.6013, respectively, P〈0.01）. It was suggested that survivin may contribute to the progression of NHL by playing an important role in promoting cell proliferation, inhibiting cell apoptosis and enlisting angiogenesis. Survivin expression is closely related to malignant grade and therefore may be considered an important prognostic factor of NHL.

Pediatric Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Retrospective 7-Year Experience in Children &Adolescents with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Treated in King Fahad Medical City (KFMC)

Background: Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is an aggressive malignant disease in children and adolescents. Although it is the fourth most common malignancy in Saudi children as reported in Saudi cancer registry, less information is available about pediatric Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and its outcome in Saudi Arabia. Study Objectives: To provide demographic data, disease characteristics, treatment protocol, toxicity and outcome of treatment in children & adolescents with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treated at KFMC. This study will form base line for future studies about pediatric Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in KFMC, which may help to improve outcome for children with cancer in Saudi Arabia. Study Patients and Method: We retrospectively analyzed 28 children and adolescents diagnosed to have Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at KFMC between December 2006 and December 2013, followed-up through June 2014. Results: Of the 28 patients, 10 (35.7%) girls and 18 (64.3%) boys, the male-to-female ratio was 1.8;1. The median age at time of diagnosis was 6.4 years old (range 2.0 to 13.0 years old). The majority of patients (64.3%) were aged between 5 and 12 years old. Burkitt’s lymphoma BL/BLL was the most common pathological subtype (60.7%), and DLBCL was the second most common subtype (21.4%). Abdominal and Retroperitoneal involvement was the most common primary site (78.6%) including the ileocaecal region. Most of the children presented with advanced Stage III and IV (75%), Cytogenetic study which screens specifically for the t (8;14) (q24;q32) a characteristic genetic feature of Burkitt’s Lymphoma was obtained from 21 patients, variant rearrangement was observed in 3/21 samples and complex chromosomes karyotype in addition to IGH/MYC rearrangement was observed in 2/21 samples. Those patients presented with very aggressive lymphoma and combined BM and CNS involvement. We use the French-American-British Mature B-Cell Lymphoma 96 Protocol (FAB LMB 96) for treatment fornewly diagnosed Mature B-Cell type NHL and high risk ALL CCG 1961 Protocol for lymphoblastic lymphoma and international Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma 99 Study Protocol for ALCL. The median follow-up in patients not experiencing an adverse event was 53.1 months. The estimated 3-year EFE and OS rates in the entire cohort of patients with newly diagnosed NHL treated in the KFMC were 85.2% and 89.2% respectively;Overall survival (OS) rate of patients with mature B-cell-NHL was 88.9%. Conclusion: The outcomes and survival in our small series appeared to be excellent compared with those reported in other international trials even though most of our patients presented in advanced stage of the disease. We feel that the importance of the current study is to document the relative distribution of various types of pediatric non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas and age-specific distribution in different Histological subtypes.

Relationship between Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 4E and Malignant Angiogenesis in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

The relationship between angiogenesis and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E （EIF4E） expression level in non Hodgkin lymphoma （NHL） was studied. Mean microvessel density （MVD） and EIF4E were detected in 52 lymph node samples paraffin sections of patients with newly diagnosed NHL by the way of immunohistochemistry. Antisense EIF4E cDNA was cloned into plasmid pcDNA3.1 （＋） and transfected into Raji cells. A series of angiogenesis related factors,including vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）, matrix metalloproteinases 9 （MMP-9） and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 （TIMP-2） proteins were detected by Western blot. The results showed that： （1） The Expression of EIF4E and MVD was higher in aggressive lymphomas than in indolent lymphomas（P〈0.05）and the expression of EIF4E was positively correlated with MVD in lymph node of NHL（r=0. 695, P〈0.01）. （2） Antisense EIF4E eukaryocytic expression vector （pcDNA3. 1-EIF4Eas） was constructed successfully. （3） EIF4E, VEGF and MMP-9 were expressed at high levels in Raji cells as compared to normal human peripheral blood monocular cells （NHPMC）, and blockage of EIF4E expression brought down the expression of VEGF and MMP-9. However, TIMP-2 was undetectable in Rail cells, although a moderate level of TIMP-2 was detected in NHPMC. It was concluded that the increased EIF4E expression was associated with aggressive property of NHL.

Low Dose Total Body Irradiation for Relapsed Low Grade Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: Experience of National Cancer Institute, Cairo

Background and Purpose: The relapsed low grade non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (LG-NHL) is currently?incurable disease and the optimal treatment regimen has not determined yet. Low dose total body irradiation (LTBI) provides an alternative mechanism of action against cancer cells rather than direct cell kill. The mode of action of LTBI is immune-modulatory effect, induction of apoptosis and?hypersensitivity to low radiation doses. The aim of our study is to evaluate the effect of LTBI on relapsed?LG-NHL and reporting our experience at National Cancer Institute, Cairo (NCI, Cairo). Material and Methods: Fifty eight patients with relapsed LG-NHL and received LTBI studied retrospectively.?LTBI dose was 1.6 Gy/8 fractions divided on 2 courses;each course 4 fractions treated over 4 days with 2 weeks rest between the 2 courses. Results: The median age is 54 years;65% of the patients are men. Forty (69%) patients had performance status of 2 or more. Twenty seven patients were stage II/III and 31 patients (53%) had stage IV disease. Twenty six (45%) patients had bulky disease more than 10 cm and 22 (38%) patients had B symptoms at the time of relapse. The?extranodal disease was present in 17 patients (29%) and 78% of the patients received?>3 regimens of chemotherapy before referral to LTBI. Twenty three patients received IFRT (mean dose 32 ± 4 Gy) to initially bulky sites after LTBI. Fourteen patients (24%) achieved complete remission (CR) while 45%, 21% and 10% had partial remission (PR), stable disease (SD) and progressive disease (PD) respectively. The median PFS duration was 14 months and the median OS duration?was 39 months. Stage VI,?>3 regimen of chemotherapy and bad response to LTBI (SD) affected?progression duration adversely (0.03, 0.05 and 0.01 respectively). The response to LTBI is the only factor affected the OS duration significantly. The 3-year PFS was 19% ± 9%, and 3-year OS was 45% ± 8%. Stage IV was the only factor affected the 3-year PFS significantly with p value 0.03. The hematological toxicity was the main side effect of LTBI. Eleven patients developed G3/4 anemia while 8 patients only developed G3/4 thrombocytopenia and 13 patients developed G3/4 leucopenia. Conclusion: The use of LTBI in patients with relapsed low grade NHL is a feasible, effective and tolerable treatment that is worthy of testing in a future with chemotherapy and Rituximab maintenance.

Treatment of Nodal Non Hodgkin Lymphoma in West Africa: Experience of Institut Curie in Dakar

In Senegal, few studies have been devoted to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. We conducted a retrospective descriptive study of 73 cases treated at the Institut J. Curie Hospital Aristide Le Dantec for non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas from 2001 to 2007. The main objective was to determine the clinical and therapeutic aspects. Our population consisted of 39 men and 34 women (sex ratio: 1.14). The average age was 36 years with extremes of 5 and 76 years. The most common locations were cervical (30.6%) and oropharynx (8.21%). Multiple locations were found in 30.6% of cases. Only 54.4% have histological exam. Patients were managed on cytology basis 42.6% of cases. Histology was performed in 39 patients (54.4%). Among these patients, 69% had aggressive lymphoma, of which 12.82% had a large B-cell lymphoma among indolent lymphomas (59%). The small cleaved cell lymphoma was most often found with 78.26% of cases. The patients were staged with insufficient tools. The protocol most often used was CHOP (64.3%). The most common complications reported were gastrointestinal (11%) followed by skin complications (8.2%). Radiotherapy was performed for 6 patients or 8.2% of cases. Therapeutic strategy was most often used as chemotherapy alone (69.9%). The median duration of follow-up is 18 months.

STUDIES OF THE CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF KI-1 POSITIVE NON-HODGKIN'S LYMPHOMA

The clinical histopathological and immuno-phenotypic features in 5 patients with Ki-1 positive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) were studied. When firstseen, 4 patients presented enlargement of superficiallymph nodes, with skin lesions in 2 patients. Two patientsin stage Ⅳ with fever, hepato-splenomegaly and bonemarrow invasion, died. Histologically, the tumor cellsshowed diffused or patchy hyperplasia. The cells wererelatively large in size, rich in basophilic or slightlyeosinophilic cytoplasm with irregular-shaped nuclei,prominent nucleoli, and distinct anaplasia andpleomorphism. Some of the cells looked very much likethe Reed-Sternberg cells. Multinucleated giant cells wereseen. Immunophenotypically, all the cells were CD30 (Ki-1) and CD25 (IL-2 receptor) positive but CD15 (Leu M1)negative. Thus, the 5 patients with Ki-1 positive NHLwere all of T cell type.

Gastric amyloidoma in patient after remission of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Amyloidosis is commonly systemic,occasionally organlimited,and rarely a solitary localized mass.The latter,commonly referred to as tumoral amyloidosis,is described as occurring in nearly every organ/tissue.Only a few reports of gastric amyloidosis exist today.We describe a 72 year-old black male from Barbados presenting with 3 d of diffuse abdominal pain.His medical history included Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma diagnosed five years ago,status-post six rounds of cyclophosphamide,adriamycin,vincristine,prednisone chemotherapy,and currently was in remission.On computed tomography scan of the abdomen,thickening and calcification of the gastric wall was noted along with pneumatosis.On esophagogastroduodenoscopy,a large circumferential friable mass was seen from the gastroesophageal junction to the body.A large nonbleeding 3 cm polyp was also seen in post bulbar area of duodenum.Biopsies were stained with Congo red and gave green birefringence under polarized light,consistent with tumoral amyloidosis.Positron emission tomography scan revealed diffuse gastric mucosa uptake compatible with gastric malignancy without metastatic foci.Treatment for gastric amyloidomas has presently been one of observation or,at most,resection of the amyloid mass.It is not known if our patient required the same approach or if this warranted the re-institutionof chemotherapy for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.Until more reports of tumoral amyloidosis are made known,treatment as well as prognosis remain uncertain.

Effects of chemotherapeutic agent bendamustine for nonhodgkin lymphoma on spermatogenesis in mice

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma(NHL) is one of the most common cancers affecting men of reproductive age. The high response rate of bendamustine as first-line treatment for NHL, coupled with young age of patients, makes elucidation of the impact of treatment on male reproduction important. Our aim was to determine the effects of bendamustine on male reproduction by animal model. Male mice were treated with bendamustine(40 mg/kg) through tail vein injection while cisplatin was given as a standard(3 mg/kg) through intraperitoneal injection. After 3 weeks, bendamustine induced weight loss and sperm morphology abnormalities were compared to the control. Additionally, sperm with folded tails were the most frequent abnormality in bendamustine-treated mice. But the mechanism of sperm abnormality induced by bendamustine remains to be elucidated. These results indicate bendamustine may affect spermatozoa of patients who have been treated for NHL.