The lancet oncology
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The lancet oncology · Feb 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudySix versus eight cycles of bi-weekly CHOP-14 with or without rituximab in elderly patients with aggressive CD20+ B-cell lymphomas: a randomised controlled trial (RICOVER-60).
Cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (CHOP) is used to treat patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Interval decrease from 3 weeks of treatment (CHOP-21) to 2 weeks (CHOP-14), and addition of rituximab to CHOP-21 (R-CHOP-21) has been shown to improve outcome in elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). This randomised trial assessed whether six or eight cycles of R-CHOP-14 can improve outcome of these patients compared with six or eight cycles of CHOP-14. ⋯ Six cycles of R-CHOP-14 significantly improved event-free, progression-free, and overall survival over six cycles of CHOP-14 treatment. Response-adapted addition of chemotherapy beyond six cycles, though widely practiced, is not justified. Of the four regimens assessed in this study, six cycles of R-CHOP-14 is the preferred treatment for elderly patients, with which other approaches should be compared.
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The lancet oncology · Feb 2008
ReviewCancer registration in developing countries: luxury or necessity?
Differences in culture and resources between low-income and high-income countries have resulted in unequal rights to health. In the past few decades, developing countries have had an increase in chronic-disease burden, including cancer. ⋯ To fight this burden, the extent of the cancer must be known so that programmes for cancer control can be planned efficiently, not only to implement standards of care but also to define prevention strategies. In this Review, we advocate the need for availability of cancer data and discuss potential opportunities for hospital-based and population-based cancer registries to collaborate in providing these data in low-income countries.