title: The role of radiation therapy in the treatment of pediatric non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.
abstract: Between 1971 and 1976, 64 patients less than 18 years of age with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were treated at Boston's Children's Hospital Medical Center-Joint Center for Radiation Therapy. A multimodality approach was used, consisting of radiation therapy (3500--4500 rad), surgery, and chemotherapy. Since 1973, all patients have received a regimen initially comprising Adriamycin, Prednisone, 6-Mercaptopurine, Vincristine, and L-Asparaginase. Methotrexate was substituted for Adriamycin following a cumulative total dose of 450 mg/m2. The 5-year actuarial survival for all patients was 61% while relapse-free survival was 54%. The actuarial and relapse-free survival for patients presenting with localized disease was 75% and 72%, respectively. Median follow-up was 40 months and all relapses occurred within 24 months of initial therapy. A multidisicplinary approach, such as the current regimen, offers a good prognosis for this disease.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy; D012008:Recurrence; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents