Limited-stage lymphomas are generally considered favorable if the disease is not bulky (usually less than 10 cm/4 in. in diameter), the serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is normal, the general well-being is good and there are no "B" symptoms.
Standard Treatment Treatment options for favorable Stages I and II include:
• Chemotherapy alone with CHOP (cyclophosphamide + doxorubicin + vincristine + prednisone).
• Abbreviated combination chemotherapy plus limited radiation therapy .
• Primary radiation therapy to the site of disease in carefully selected Stage I cases, particularly in patients
with minimal disease who cannot tolerate chemotherapy.
Five-Year Survival 80 to 90 percent for Stage I, 70 to 80 percent for Stage II
Investigational Because initial therapy is so successful, the goals of investigational efforts are reducing the toxicity of treatment and trying to predict which patients are most likely to fail primary therapy and therefore need other treatment approaches.
