Serum lactic dehydrogenase [ldh] activity in lymphomas: prognostic significance and relationship to presentation, stage and histologic type

ABSTRACT

Studying the relation of LDH level to presentation, stage and histological subtype of lymphoma and to evaluate its prognostic significance, Hospital records of 13 Hodgkin's and 37 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients were reviewed. Patients were followed up; their serum LDH levels were measured after completing therapy, A group of 25 apparently healthy persons matched for age and gender served as controls and their serum LDH levels were measured, Serum LDH activity was significantly higher in lymphoma patients compared to control group [P= 0.001]; although none of the Hodgkin's lymphoma patients had serum LDH level above the normal range. Serum LDH activity was not of value in relation to grade and histological subtype of lymphoma, and ESR; but significantly associated with stage of the disease. There was no significant difference in the mean enzyme level among patients who responded and those who not responded to chemotherapy. Serum LDH level was of no clinical or prognostic significance in Hodgkin's lymphoma. The stage of the disease rather than serum LDH value was the main prognostic marker in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma