Supradiaphragmatic Presentation of Non‐Hodgkin's Lymphoma in Men Occupationally Exposed to Organic Solvents

ABSTRACT. Using a standardized interview schedule, occupational exposure to organic solvents was investigated in 61 consecutive male patients with the diagnosis of non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma. When exposure was defined as handling of organic solvents every working day for at least one year, 23 patients were exposed and 38 non‐exposed. Of 15 patients with clinical stage I‐II above the diaphragm, 12 (80%) were occupationally exposed to organic solvents. Only 1 (11%) of 9 patients with clinical stage I‐II disease located below the diaphragm was exposed. Thirty‐seven patients had clinical stage III‐IV disease at the time of diagnosis and 10 (27%) of these were exposed. The predominance of exposed patients in the group with stage I‐II disease above the diaphragm is significant and the results indicate a relation between exposure to organic solvents and supradiaphragmatic presentation of non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma. No correlation was found between exposure and the morphology of the lymphomas. 1981 Association for the Publication of the Journal of Internal Medicin