Although the majority of patients with lymphoma achieve a complete remission with primary therapy, two thirds or more will fail to achieve an initial remission or will eventually relapse from complete remission and require salvage therapy. The response to salvage therapy will depend on a number of factors, including type of lymphoma (Hodgkin's v non-Hodgkin's), stage of disease, type of salvage therapy, prior therapy, number of relapses, and duration of initial remission. In general, the likelihood of attaining a complete remission is greatest with primary therapy and declines with each relapse. Therefore, it is tremendously important that patients with lymphoma be managed optimally at the time of their initial treatment.