Long-term results of patients with advanced diffuse, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treated with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone and bleomycin (CHOP-Bleo)

17 patients with diffuse non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with unfavorable histologies were treated with cyclophosphamide, hydroxyldaunorubicin (doxorubicin), vincristine (Oncovin), prednisone and bleomycin (CHOP-Bleo). Of the 16 patients entering a complete remission, 8 remain in remission at 46+, 50+, 51+, 61+, 61+, 61+ and 63+ months. There were 2 treatment deaths in elderly patients, both in remission. 2 of the early relapses (less than 12 months) were later characterized as lymphoblastic lymphoma upon review of the original pathology. All 3 patients with late relapses (32, 37, and 44 months), were able to be successfully retreated. The 2 patients with lymphoblastic lymphoma developed central nervous system disease despite prophylactic intrathecal methotrexate; but central nervous system disease has not developed in the 4 other patients with initial bone marrow involvement who received prophylactic intrathecal therapy.