Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in a south Indian Hospital--our experience with the International Working Formulation.

There were 836 biopsy cases of Malignant Lymphomas over a seven year period, among which Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas (70 percent) predominated over Hodgkin's Disease (30 percent). Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas could be easily classified using the IWF. The Diffuse variety was much commoner than the Follicular variety. The Diffuse Large cell type was the commonest histologic type. The Gastrointestinal tract was the commonest site for extranodal lymphomas. Though sophisticated immunological methods are available for lymphoma analysis, histologic classification will continue to remain the principal method of lymphoma typing in our country.