[Treatment of four cases of B-cell lymphoma]

Four cases of B cell lymphoma, seen at the Department of Dermatology, Miyazaki Medical College, for the previous approximately 10 years, were reviewed. Case 1 was characterized by a localized tumours lesion on the head; the histologic picture was of the follicular, medium sized cell type. Complete remission for 8 years has been obtained after electron beam therapy and surgical removal of the tumor. Cases 2 and 3 had a histologic picture of diffuse, large cell type and were assumed to have a bad prognosis with standard chemotherapy. In addition to conventional chemotherapy, they were placed on noncross-resistant alternating combination chemotherapy with medium dosages of MTX, VP-16, VDS, PCZ MXT, PEP and ACR, so as not to develop cross resistance. Case 2 has been in complete remission for 11 months and case 3 for 7 months. Case 4 was a nodal lymphoma with skin lesions. This patient was treated mainly by local radiation therapy, but later died with leukemic changes and renal failure. Cutaneous B cell lymphoma should be treated vigorously and carefully, since it has a poorer prognosis than that of lymphoma of lymph node origin.