Diffuse histiocytic lymphoma. The need for aggressive restaging.

Fifteen patients with stage III and IV diffuse histiocytic lymphoma were treated with combination chemotherapy: cyclophosphamide, vincristine sulfate, prednisone, and procarbazine hydrochloride (COPP). Eight achieved a complete clinical remission. Of these, five relapsed, but remission was reinduced in three of these. Median survival of partial responders was 52 weeks compared to more than 129 weeks for complete responders. Complete clinical remission in diffuse histiocytic lymphomas did not presage a long disease-free interval as has been reported in biopsy proved remission series. Biopsy and staging by pathologic examination appear necessary to document remission in this disease.