transformation of the worst kind?

[Guest guest]

For Dr. Furman. A biopsy of a groin lymph node done last week. To-day I got the results. Pathology Comments: The H & E features are consistent with a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. My Onc. says R-Chop tx asap. No other txs. discussed. Are there any less toxic? My complaint. Biopsy done in the 4th week of Campath tx. The test should have been done 5 weeks ago. Any comments, suggestions etc would be appreciated. Thanks. Hal. halskye@...

[Guest guest]

Hal,

R-CHOP chemotherapy is curative in almost half of all diffuse large B

cell lymphomas. As such, I would recommend going with the R-CHOP and

not anything less toxic. Lymphomas like large cell lymphoma require

a different treatment strategy than what you are probably used to.

Since this is potentially curable, aggressive treatment at diagnosis

in place of " watch and wait " with less aggressive therapy is the

treatment paradigm.

It is unlikely that the four weeks of Campath or the delay of four

weeks would cause you any harm. You should still be followed for CMV

reactivation (as all patients treated with Campath) for next two

months.

Good luck. Keep us informed.

Rick Furman, MD

>

> For Dr. Furman. A biopsy of a groin lymph node done last week. To-

day I got the results. Pathology Comments: The H & E features are

consistent with a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. My Onc. says R-Chop

tx asap. No other txs. discussed. Are there any less toxic? My

complaint. Biopsy done in the 4th week of Campath tx. The test

should have been done 5 weeks ago. Any comments, suggestions etc

would be appreciated. Thanks. Hal. halskye@...

>