title: High dose radiochemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation in four patients with multiple lymphomatous polyposis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multiple lymphomatous polyposis (MLP) results from gastrointestinal involvement by a B-cell lymphoma that originates from the mantle zone of lymphoid follicles. This well described clinicopathologic entity has a poor prognosis: the rate of complete response after conventional chemotherapy is very low. High dose radiochemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), which is one of the most intensive treatments of lymphoma, to the authors' knowledge has not been evaluated in the treatment of MLP.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four consecutive patients with MLP were treated with high dose radiochemotherapy and ASCT while they were in partial response after conventional chemotherapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three patients achieved a complete clinical and histologic response and one achieved a complete clinical resolution of symptoms, but with persistent histologic lesions. Progression free survival ranged from 11 to 35 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Autologous stem cell transplantation for patients with MLP is feasible and may be more effective than conventional chemotherapy. However, further studies are needed to assess the actual place of this type of treatment in the management of MLP.
authors.affiliation: Service d'Hématologie, Hôtel-Dieu, Nantes, France.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mahé
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moreau
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moreau
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Le Tortorec
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Harousseau
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Milpied
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007417:Intestinal Polyps / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation