Role of combination chemotherapy in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in children

Eighteen children suffering from Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were studied. Of these eighteen children, eight (44.4 percent) had well differentiated diffuse lymphocytic lymphoma and six (33.3 percent) had poorly differentiated diffuse lymphocytic lymphoma and four (22.3 percent) had histiocytic lymphoma. Histological study was based on the concept of Rappaport (1966). Children belonging to Stage IIB were treated with radiotherapy followed by combination chemotherapy and those with Stage IIIB and Stage IVB were treated with combination chemotherapy utilising cyclophosphamide, oncovin and prednisolone. The result of combination chemotherapy (COP) was dramatic and appears to have resulted in long term disease free survival. In well differentiated diffuse lymphocytic lymphoma in Stage IIB the life expectancy of two children was extended to 12 years with well maintained remission for 9.5 years. Recurrence rate was 44.4 percent. Death rate was 61.1 percent and median survival time was 26.7 months. In histiocytic lymphomas the results were unsatisfactory. Median survival time was 9.5 months. (author)