Premium
Therapy of localized and regional lymphosarcoma of childhood
Author(s) -
Aur Rhomes J. A.,
Hustu H. Omar,
Simone Joseph V.,
Pratt Charles B.,
Pinkel Donald
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(197106)27:6<1328::aid-cncr2820270608>3.0.co;2-a
Subject(s) - medicine , vincristine , prednisone , radiation therapy , cyclophosphamide , methotrexate , chemotherapy , pneumonia , pediatrics , leukemia , surgery
Localized and regional lymphosarcoma in children has a limited prognosis when treated with conventional therapy. Recurrences and conversion to acute leukemia occur in a significant proportion of patients. In this study, intensive combination chemotherapy and radiotherapy were given to 8 children with localized or regional lymphosarcoma. Initially, they received prednisone and vincristine along with cobalt 60 radiotherapy to physically detectable tumor sites. This was followed by daily administration of 6‐mercaptopurine, weekly methotrexate and cyclophosphamide, and 15‐day courses of prednisone and vincristine every 10 weeks. Six children attained remission and are currently well for 16‐27 months. One child died in complete remission of viral pneumonia after 5 months of continuation therapy. Another child showed only a partial and temporary response. We conclude that intensive chemotherapy combined with local radiotherapy results in long disease‐free remissions and prevents or delays development of leukemia.