title: Diffuse well-differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma: chemotherapy with BCNU, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, melphalan and prednisone.
abstract: Twenty patients with stage III and IV diffuse well-differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma were treated with combination chemotherapy consisting of BCNU, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, melphalan and prednisone (M-2). Treatment was given every 5 weeks for 11 cycles in responding patients. The median age of the patients was 62 years (range 45-76). There were 12 complete remissions and 6 partial remissions for an overall response rate of 90%. The median duration of remission was 24 months (range 12-79 months) and was identical for complete responders and partial responders. All but 2 responding patients have been subsequently retreated for relapse. The median survival was 84 months (range 1-108 months). Myelosuppression was mild. Nausea/vomiting, neuropathy, alopecia and gastrointestinal symptoms from prednisone were seen in the minority of patients. One patient expired from sepsis/neutropenia during the first cycle of therapy. The M-2 protocol produces effective remissions in diffuse well-differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma. The relapse and survival pattern are similar to the results achieved with other chemotherapy regimens in low-grade lymphoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Maine Medical Center, Portland.
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Case
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boyd
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Hayes
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Dorsk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002330:Carmustine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008558:Melphalan / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D014750:Vincristine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D008558:Melphalan; D002330:Carmustine; D011241:Prednisone