Objective: To investigate the best diagnostic and therapeutic method for primary lymphoma of the spleen.
Methods: Clinicopathologic features of 23 patients treated from January 1956 to August 1999 were analyzed retrospectively.
Results: All patients but one for exploration only (96%) underwent resection of the tumor. They accepted chemotherapy after operation. 23 patients were confirmed pathologically. B-cell type non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was noted in 21 patients and T-cell letion in 2. According to Ahman's staging, 9 patients belonged to stage I, 8 stage II, and 6 stage III. The 5-year survival rates were 50%, 40% and 16% respectively.
Conclusions: The diagnosis of splenic lymphoma is dependent mainly on B-ultrasound examination and CT scanning. Splenectomy combined with chemotherapy may provide optimum therapy for patients with splenic lymphoma.