Correlation between lymphographic grouping and anatomic and clinical stages in chronic lymphoid leukemia.
In a retrospective study of lymphograms in 55 patients with chronic lymphatic leukemia observed 42-170 months, four lymphographic groups were established according to lymph node size and morphology. In group 1, the lymph nodes were only slightly enlarged and pathologic in appearance. In group 2, the nodes were moderately enlarged and appeared reticular. In groups 3 and 4 the nodes were greatly enlarged and appeared foamy, striated, or "ghostlike" (similar to those seen in lymphoma). The correlation between the lymphographic groups and a new clinical classification (stages O-IV), which has been demonstrated to have prognostic values, was statistically significant: clinical stage O and lymphographic group 1; clinical stages III and IV and lymphographic groups 2, 3, or 4. Clinical stages 1 and II were dispersed throughout the different lymphographic groups. Although the specific prognostic value of the results of lymphography is not apparent in clinical stages O-II, it does seem to be established in stages III and IV. In these stages, the number of deaths was significantly greater in patients in lymphographic groups 3 and 4 when compared with those in lymphographic group 2.