Childhood non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: A review of treatment results in 53 children

Abstract

Fifty-three patients, 2 to 18 years old with histologically proven non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) were treated with combined chemotherapy and involved or extended field irradiation between 1975 and 1982. The disease was classified as undifferentiated Burkitt's type (24), large cell (histiocytic) type (12), lymphoblastic type (13), and undifferentiated non-Burkitt's type (4). Doses of radiation ranged from 1500 to 4000 cGy with an average of 3000 cGy. Disease-free survival at 2 years was: large cell type 9 out of 12 (75%), lymphoblastic 6/13 (46%), undifferentiated non-Burkitt's 1/4 (25%), and Burkitt's lymphoma 12/24 (50%). Bone marrow and/or cerebrospinal fluid relapses continue to be major roadblocks to the successful treatment of childhood non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Improved success in treatment will depend upon the development of better strategies designed to prevent the occurrence or recurrence of central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma and of more effective systemic therapy. The potential role of radiation therapy in these treatment strategies, especially as regards its use for CNS treatment, should be carefully considered. Chemotherapy, childhood, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, radiation therapy