Frequency and Pattern of Bone Marrow Infiltration in Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Abstract

Abstract

Introduction:  Lymphomas are divided into two, groups Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Staging of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma is important for the management and treatment of the patient. Bone marrow biopsy is one of the initial inves-tigations carried out for staging of the disease along with other investigations. This study was carried out to determine the frequency of bone marrow infiltration at the time of diagnosis and various patterns of bone mar-row involvement was noted.

Materials and Methods:  Clinical history and physi-cal findings were recorded and investigations were carried out. Bone marrow aspirate and trephine biop-sies were carried out from posterior iliac crest. Aspira-tes and trephine biopsies were evaluated and assessed for cytology, marrow architecture, haemopoietic tissue and any lymphomatous infiltration. In cases with infil-tration the infiltration pattern was studied.

Results:  Bone marrow infiltration was found in 20 (40%) of cases. Most common pattern of infiltration seen was interstitial in 9 patients (45%) followed by diffuse pattern in 5 cases (25%). Focal para-trabecular involvement was seen in 4 cases (20%) and 1 case each of focal patchy and focal nodular pattern.

Conclusion:  Bone marrow involvement in Non-Hod-gkin's Lymphoma is more common in our setup as patients presents at a later stage. It is recommended that bone marrow examination should be performed as a part of staging investigations in patients with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Key Words:  Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL), bone marrow Infiltration.