Non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphomata in adults: chemo-radiotherapy in stages III and IV.

Patients presenting with Stage III or IV non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma were given chemotherapy; about 20% complete remission was obtained for both stages. The addition of radiotherapy increased the incidence to 70% in Stage III patients. The duration of first complete remission was longer for Stage III (25% of the patients are still in first remission at 7 years) than for Stage IV (0%). The survival was longer for nodular lymphosarcoma patients (25% are alive at 7 years for Stages III and IV) than for diffuse lymphosarcomata and reticulosarcomata (10%). Among the new drugs, VM 26 is able to produce a good frequency of remission in patients in relapse.