Prolonged initial remission in patients with nodular mixed lymphoma.

Seventy-nine patients with nodular mixed lymphoma were treated at the National Cancer Institute between 1966 and 1978. Fifteen patients had stage I or II disease, and 64, stage III or IV disease. The overall complete response rate for the patients that received various primary treatment regimens was 76%, with 52% of complete responders remaining in their first remission at a median follow-up of 7 years. Median survival of complete responders is projected to be more than 13 years. Median survival of patients who do not achieve complete remission is less than 2 years. Patients with B symptoms, bone marrow involvement, or a lactate dehydrogenase level greater than 250 U/mL had significantly shorter survivals than did patients without these features. Patients with advanced-stage (III and IV) nodular mixed lymphoma had a 72% complete response rate, with the average remission lasting more than 6 years. Although relapses have been seen up to 8 years after diagnosis in patients with nodular mixed lymphoma given C-MOPP chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone), prolonged initial remissions can be achieved with this therapy.