Combination chemotherapy only for stage II non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Twenty-six previously untreated patients with clinical stage (CS) II B non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) were treated with systemic chemotherapy only. Patients received bleomycin, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisone (BACOP). All patients had intermediate- or high-grade lymphoma. Objective response was demonstrated in 25 patients (96%), with 21 patients (81%) achieving complete remission (CR). Two of CR patients developed unsalvageable relapse, the remaining 19 patients are still alive and disease-free. The median duration of CR has not been reached. Of four patients (15%) with documented partial remission (PR), three were salvaged using second-line therapy. Over a median follow-up of 12 months (range, 3-30), 22 patients (85%) are alive and disease-free, of whom 16 (62%) have survived more than 1 yr. Bulky disease or gastrointestinal tract (GIT) involvement did not influence the CR rate. Our results compared favorably with radiation therapy for stage II NHL; however, a larger controlled and randomized study is warranted.