[Prognostic factors in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in childhood].

38 children with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (age 15 months - 17 years; 27 males and 11 females) have been treated between 1974 and 1982. They have been divided in two different groups: a Good Prognosis group for patients with complete resectable disease and a Poor Prognosis group including patients with mediastinal, bone marrow or CNS involvement or with diffuse and non completely resectable localization. In the Good Prognosis group there were 100% Complete Remission, 12.5% Local Relapses and 12.5% deaths. 88% of patients are alive at 8 1/2 years follow-up. In the Poor Prognosis group there were 83% Complete Remission, 50% Relapses (8 in the first year, 2 in the second and 5 in the third and no more in the next years) and 60% Deaths; 30% of patients are off-therapy with a survival of 40% at 8 1/2 years follow-up. Among the 19 patients with mediastinal involvement there were 84.2% Complete Remission, 68.4% Relapses, 63.1% Deaths and 26.6% off therapy patients. Among the 19 patients with mediastinal involvement there were 84.2% Complete Remission, 68.4% Relapses, 63.1% Deaths and 26.6% off therapy patients. Survival is 70% for the group without mediastinal involvement and 35% for the group with mediastinal involvement. Burkitt-type Lymphoma has a survival of 30% in contrast to the 60% survival for all the others histological types. In summary we conclude that the distinction between Good Prognosis and Poor Prognosis groups, on the basis of a clinical stage involvement and Burkitt histology have an important role for prognosis of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in children.