Response Criteria
Two weeks after completion of chemotherapy, all subjects had imaging studies to evaluate response. We defined the level of response as: a complete remission (CR) if there was complete disappearance of all sites of disease (as evaluated by physical examination and imaging studies) and B symptoms. Partial remission (PR), defined as disappearance of all constitutional symptoms and decrease of ≥ 50% of the sum of the product of two perpendicular diameters of all lesions present at diagnosis and no appearance of new lesions. No response (NR) defined as no change or <50% decrease in the product of two perpendicular diameters of any lesion present at diagnosis without new lesions. Progressive disease (PD), defined as increase of ≥ 50% of the product of two perpendicular diameters of any lesion or the appearance of new lesions during therapy or within 3 months of end of radiation therapy. Relapse (R), defined as appearance of new lesions after 3 months from end of radiation therapy confirmed by biopsy in most cases.