• Disease-free survival
  
• Progression-free survival
  
• Event-free survival
  

• Overall survival will be a secondary end-point because post-relapse therapy is not specified in this protocol and is expected to be highly variable
  

Inclusion Criteria:

1. age = 18 years.
2. ECOG performance status 0-2
3. Histologically proven primary testicular CD20-positive diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, untreated
4. Ann Arbor stage IE or IIE. Bilateral testicular involvement at presentation will not be considered stage IV. In these patients the final Ann Arbor stage will be determined by the extent of nodal involvement.
5. Bidimensionally measurable or evaluable disease. Patients who have had all disease removed by surgery are eligible.
6. Adequate bone marrow reserve (ANC > 1.000/L, Plt > 100.000/L)
7. Cardiac ejection fraction ≥ 50% by MUGA scan or echocardiography
8. No previous therapy with monoclonal antibody anti-CD20.
9. No psychiatric illness that precludes understanding concepts of the trial or signing informed consent
10. No other major life-threatening illnesses that may preclude chemotherapy
11. Have given written informed consent prior to any program-specific screening procedure, with the understanding that the consent may be withdrawn by the patient at any time without prejudice

Exclusion Criteria:

1. impairment of renal function (creatinine > 2 mg/dl) or liver function (bilirubin > 2 mg/dl) unless due to lymphoma involvement
2. HIV positive patients
3. evolutive malignancy within 5 years with the exception of localized non-melanomatous skin cancer