Burkitt's lymphoma. A clinical study of 110 patients

Abstract

One hundred and ten previously untreated patients with Burkitt's lymphoma were studied prospectively over a period ranging from over 1 year to 5 years. Of 103 patients who were treated with cyclophosphamide as a single agent, 79 (77%) achieved complete remission. Vincristine plus methotrexate or cytosine arabinoside induced complete remissions in only two of 24 patients who failed to respond to cyclophosphamide. Fifty‐two percent of patients who entered complete remission subsequently relapsed with tumor. Relapse was significantly higher in patients who presented with disseminated disease (Stage III‐IV) than in patients with localized disease (Stage I‐II). Patients who relapsed early (remission duration < 12 weeks) had a significantly worse prognosis than patients who relapsed late (remission duration > 12 weeks). Actuarial calculated 2‐ and 4‐year survival for all patients was 44% and 38%, respectively. Factors that adversely affected survival were primary resistance to cyclophosphamide, early tumor relapse, central nervous system disease, and involvement of abdominal organs. Copyright © 1976 American Cancer Society