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Abstract
Recently, management of limited stage diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLCL) is trending toward a low intensity chemotherapy approach. Since 1993 we have used a brief weekly (6 weeks) chemotherapy scheme (Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide, Bleomycin, Vincristine, and Prednisone = ACOP-B) followed by involved field radiotherapy in 207 consecutive patients with well defined localized DLCL without age limit (median 57 years, range 18–85). Treatment was completed as designed in 183 of 207 patients (88%). One hundred and ninety-nine patients (96%) achieved complete remission. At a median follow-up of 66 months 170 patients are alive (82%), 168 of them free of disease. Twenty-nine patients experienced relapse after achieving a complete remission. Kaplan-Meier, risk of relapse was 24% after 13 years. Thirty (14.5%) patients have died, 14 (6.8%) due to lymphoma progression, one due to regimen toxicity and 15 (7.2%) from other causes while remaining in complete remission. The probability of overall survival and event free survival at 13 years was 78% (95% CI 70–87%) and 63% (95% CI 50–75), respectively. Crude rate of secondary malignancy was 5.26 /1000 person-years. The ACOP-B regimen plus involved field radiotherapy is well tolerated both short and long term and is an effective chemotherapy scheme for very well defined limited stage aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphomas in all age categories.