The Value of Exploratory Laparotomy in Malignant Lymphoma

Exploratory laparotomy in 50 patients with Hodgkin's disease and 25 patients with other forms of malignant lymphoma indicates that the pre-laparotomy clinical evaluation of the intra-abdominal organs is not adequate to determine involvement by disease. In the Hodgkin's group, 25 patients had spleen involvement and 13 had liver involvement. In the non-Hodgkin's group, 12 spleens were involved, and disease was found in 5 of 23 livers biopsied. Lymphangiography was found to be radiologically accurate; but, because of additional lymph node regions not outlined by lymphangiography, it is best used in combination with exploratory laparotomy.