The management of generalised grade 2 non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (Report no 18)

This report describes a comparison of combination chemotherapy (CHOP) with total body irradiation (TBI) in the management of Stages III and IV Grade 2 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. This prospective randomised study was carried out by the BNLI between 1974 and 1978. One hundred and fourteen previously untreated patients were accepted: 66 received CHOP and 48 TBI. Complete remission was obtained in 39% of patients treated with CHOP and 23% with TBI. This difference is not significant. However, when comparison is stratified for Stage III disease the survival of the CHOP-treated group is statistically significant (chi(2) = 4.125: 0.05 greater than P greater than 0.025). This difference in favour of CHOP is most marked in patients with poorly differentiated histology. Only 46% of patients receiving CHOP remain alive at the time of this report. There is urgent need for more effective treatment in the management of this type of lymphoma.