Combination chemotherapy only for stage II non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

• Published in: European journal of cancer & clinical oncology Vol. 22; no. 2; p. 199
• Main Authors: Ibrahim, E M, Satti, M B, Al-Idrissi, H Y, Abdel Satir, A, Al-Mohaya, S A, Al-Qourain, A, Al-Freihi, H, Abssod, G H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-02-1986
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - adverse effects; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - therapeutic use; Bleomycin - administration & dosage; Cyclophosphamide - administration & dosage; Doxorubicin - administration & dosage; Humans; Leukopenia - chemically induced; Lymphoma - drug therapy; Lymphoma - pathology; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging; Prednisone - administration & dosage; Vincristine - administration & dosage
• ISSN: 0277-5379
• DOI: 10.1016/0277-5379(86)90031-3

Twenty-six previously untreated patients with clinical stage (CS) II B non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) were treated with systemic chemotherapy only. Patients received bleomycin, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisone (BACOP). All patients had intermediate- or high-grade lymphoma. Objective response was demonstrated in 25 patients (96%), with 21 patients (81%) achieving complete remission (CR). Two of CR patients developed unsalvageable relapse, the remaining 19 patients are still alive and disease-free. The median duration of CR has not been reached. Of four patients (15%) with documented partial remission (PR), three were salvaged using second-line therapy. Over a median follow-up of 12 months (range, 3-30), 22 patients (85%) are alive and disease-free, of whom 16 (62%) have survived more than 1 yr. Bulky disease or gastrointestinal tract (GIT) involvement did not influence the CR rate. Our results compared favorably with radiation therapy for stage II NHL; however, a larger controlled and randomized study is warranted.