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Aggressive multidrug regimens
Source: Aggressive B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: May 12, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.
Selected source text with whitespace normalised. This Triangle page is not an NCI PDQ summary. Independent clinical review is pending.
Treatment for diffuse small noncleaved-cell/Burkitt lymphoma is usually an aggressive multidrug regimen similar to those used for advanced-stage aggressive lymphomas (such as diffuse large cell).[4-6] Adverse prognostic factors include age older than 40 years, high serum lactate dehydrogenase (>3 times normal), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2 or greater, and CNS involvement.[2] A retrospective review of 641 adult patients with Burkitt lymphoma from 30 U.S. cancer centers found a 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate of 64%. Nineteen percent of patients had CNS involvement, 14% had primary refractory disease, and the treatment-related mortality rate was 10%.[2]
Evidence (aggressive multidrug regimens):
Aggressive combination chemotherapy modeled after that used in childhood Burkitt lymphoma has been successful for adult patients. More than 60% of advanced-stage patients were free of disease at 5 years.[6-9]
Rituximab has been incorporated into these aggressive combination chemotherapy regimens. A nonrandomized, single-arm, prospective, multicenter trial of 363 patients, aged 16 years to 85 years, showed a 5-year PFS rate of 71% and a 5-year overall survival rate of 80%.[5][Level of evidence C1]
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Preserved source evidence · Independent clinical review pending · Not medical advice