GONADAL-FUNCTION AFTER MACOP-B OR VACOP-B WITH OR WITHOUT DOSE INTENSIFICATION AND ABMT IN YOUNG-PATIENTS WITH AGGRESSIVE NON-HODGKINS-LYMPHOMA

Background: The late effects of chemotherapy of aggressive non-Hodgkin 's lymphoma on gonadal function are largely unknown. Patients and meth ods: In a retrospective study the gonadal function after chemotherapy with MACOP-B or VACOP-B with or without dose intensification and ABMT in first remission was examined in patients with aggressive non-Hodgki n's lymphoma by patient history and determination of hormonal function . Thirty adult patients of age 40 or less at diagnosis who were alive and free of relapse for at least 1 year after completion of chemothera py were included in the study. Results: With a median time of 28 month s (range 11 to 62 months) after completion of therapy, gonadal dysfunc tion was found in 1 of 7 female and none of 15 male patients, or a tot al of 5% of patients treated with chemotherapy alone. Of patients rece iving dose intensification and ABMT in first remission, gonadal dysfun ction was present in 2/6 (33%) treated with cyclophosphamide, BCNU and etoposide in 3/4 treated with cyclophosphamide and TBI. Conclusions: Our data suggest that therapy of aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas wi th MACOP-B or VACOP-B has little impact on future fertility and that f ertility may be preserved in the majority of patients receiving dose-i ntensification with CBV in first remission.