Combination chemotherapy for advanced diffuse non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in relapse following local radiotherapy

Eleven patients with advanced diffuse non-Ho-dgkin's lymphoma arising from head and neck in relapse following local radiotherapy were treated with C-MOPP or Adriamycin-based combination chemotherapy. Eight patients had diffuse lymphoma of large cell type, two diffuse lymphoma of medium-sized cell type and one pleomorphic type of lymphoma. Complete remission was obtained in 8 of 11 patients (72.7 %). Three of these had relapsed within two years after completion of combination chemotherapy; all of three expired at 27 months, 41 months and 48 months, respectively. On the other hand, three patients whose complete remission lasted beyond two years still survive 46 months, 48 months, and 66 months without recurrence. The main side-effects during induction chemotherapy was bone marrow suppression and its related infections. (author)