title: Stage III nodular lymphomas. Preliminary results of a combined chemotherapy/radiotherapy program.
abstract: Since 1975, all histologic subtypes of Stage III and IIIE nodular lymphoma patients were treated with a combination of radiotherapy and multiple-agent chemotherapy consisting of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone, and bleomycin (CHOP-Bleo). Fifty-eight patients were treated through 1979. Treatment consisted of two cycles of CHOP-Bleo alternating with sequential radiotherapy to clinically involved regions, and further CHOP-Bleo to a total of ten cycles. Radiotherapy doses ranged between 3000 and 4000 rad delivered in three to four weeks. Forty-six patients completed treatment. In the other 12 patients, treatment was interrupted because of progressive disease in seven, and myelosuppression in five. Overall five-year survival and disease-free survival results were 82% and 47%, respectively. Survival for those patients who completed therapy was 93%. By histopathology, survivals for all patients were: poorly differentiated lymphocytic, 100%; mixed cell, 80%; and histiocytic, 39%. Disease-free figures for all 58 patients were: poorly differentiated lymphocytic, 44%; mixed cell, 65%; and histiocytic, 35%. The extent of abdominal disease influenced five-year survival as follows: 100% for those who had only occult disease at staging laparotomy; 88% for those who were Stage III on the basis of a positive lymphangiogram; and 50% for those who had a palpable mass or required an exploratory laparotomy for symptoms. Five of seven patients with progression during protocol therapy have died. No patients died as a result of myelosuppression. A number of patients developed complications during treatment, none of which were fatal. Eight patients developed herpes zoster, four patients developed transient radiation hepatitis, and four patients had miscellaneous complications.
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007813:Laparotomy; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents