Clinical and Biological Analysis of Peripheral T-Cell Lymphomas: A Single Institution Study

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) accounts for 15-20% of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the Western World. Clinical, histopathologic, phenotypic and genotypic data were received from 33 cases of PTCL referred to our institution. The median age order was 50 years, 78% were males, and 18% had a history of a preceeding disorder of the lymphoid system. 60% had stage 4 at diagnosis and B symptoms were also present in 60%. The most frequent sites of extranodal involvement were bone marrow (54%), liver (45%) and skin (33%). Twenty-eight of 33 cases were histologically classified according to the Working Formulation (most in the diffuse mixed and large-cell subgroups) and the Kiel updated system.Phenotypic and genotypic studies of malignant cells showed a considerable heterogeneity with respect to the expression of either T-cell receptor (TCR) αβ and γδ and pan-T differentiation molecules. Of the studied cases 63% expressed TCR-αβ. All five patients with PTCL of the TCR-γδ subtype had a peculiar extra-nodal presentation. The vast majority of cases expressed an abnormal T-cell phenotype with respect to the expression of pan-T antigens, including the lack of expression of the TCR-associated CD3 molecule in 2 cases. Rearrangements of the TCR β and/or δ-chain genes showed clonality in 21 of the 23 studied cases.Twenty-five patients were treated with a multiagent chemotherapy regimen with curative intent and the remainder received a less intensive palliative regimen.Only 9 patients achieved CR (8 of whom had received an anthracycline-containing regimen) and the 4-year survival rate was 25%. The 4-year survival of CR and non-CR patients differed significantly, 67% versus 21% (p = 0.02). Thus in our limited single institute experience PTCL patients, most of whom had stage IV disease, have a very poor prognosis.