Follicular large cell lymphoma: long-term follow-up of 62 patients treated between 1973-1981.
OBJECTIVE
Investigators disagree on whether follicular large cell lymphoma (FLCL) behaves like other follicular lymphomas, with no plateau in the survival curve, or as a more aggressive but potentially curable lymphoma. We reported in 1984 results for 62 FLCL patients treated at our institution; the current report updates those results.


METHODS
Sixty-two patients referred from 1973-1981, including fifteen (24%) patients with Ann Arbor stage I-II and forty-seven (76%) with stage III-IV FLCL. Seven patients received radiation (XRT) alone, forty patients XRT and chemotherapy, and fifteen patients received chemotherapy alone.


RESULTS
The median follow-up was 14.7 years. The median survival was 5.1 years, with 21% alive at 15 years. The failure-free survival (FFS) at 10 years was 31%. Univariate analysis revealed that age, Ann Arbor stage, and the International Index correlated with survival. Performance status, number of platelets, and LDH correlated with failure-free survival.


CONCLUSIONS
FLCL responds to doxorubicin-based regimens similarly to diffuse large cell lymphoma. Patients with FLCL have the potential for prolonged failure-free survival. Variables that predict the survival in aggressive lymphomas apply as well in this type of lymphoma.
Rodriguez
J
J
University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA.
McLaughlin
P
P
Fayad
L
L
Santiago
M
M
Hess
M
M
Rodriguez
M A
MA
Romaguera
J
J
Hagemeister
F
F
Kantarjian
H
H
Cabanillas
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008224:Lymphoma, Follicular / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors