Chemotherapy Before Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation +/- Rituximab in Relapsed or Refractory Aggressive Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically confirmed aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of 1 of the following subtypes:

  * Diffuse large cell lymphoma (includes primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma and T-cell-rich B-cell lymphoma)
  * Prior indolent lymphoma (e.g., follicular center cell lymphoma; marginal zone lymphoma, including extranodal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue \[MALT\] lymphoma; and lymphoplasmacytoid lymphoma) with transformation to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma at relapse

    * Must be histologically confirmed
    * No transformed lymphoma at diagnosis with subsequent indolent histology without transformation at relapse
  * Peripheral T-cell lymphoma
  * Anaplastic large cell lymphoma
  * Small noncleaved Burkitt-like lymphoma
* T-cell or B-cell lineage confirmed by immunohistochemistry
* Clinically or radiologically documented disease meeting either of the following criteria:

  * Measurable disease, defined as at least 1 bidimensionally measurable site of disease using clinical exam, CT scan, or MRI

    * Lymph nodes must be \> 1.5 cm by physical exam or CT scan
    * Other non-nodal lesions must be ≥ 1.0 cm by physical exam, CT scan, or MRI
    * Bone lesions are not considered measurable
  * Evaluable disease, defined as only nonmeasurable disease, including any of the following:

    * Marrow infiltration
    * Cytology-confirmed ascites or effusions
    * Bony involvement
    * Enlarged liver or spleen
    * Unidimensionally measurable intrathoracic or abdominal masses
* Previously treated with 1, and only 1, chemotherapy regimen including an anthracycline and excluding cisplatin, cytarabine, and gemcitabine
* No uncontrolled CNS involvement by lymphoma

  * No CNS disease at time of relapse
  * CNS disease diagnosed at initial presentation allowed provided a complete response for CNS disease was achieved and maintained

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

* 16 to 65

Performance status

* ECOG 0-3

Life expectancy

* At least 12 weeks

Hematopoietic

* Absolute granulocyte count ≥ 1,000/mm\^3
* Platelet count ≥ 75,000/mm\^3

Hepatic

* Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
* AST or ALT ≤ 2.5 times ULN (5 times ULN if liver involvement with lymphoma)
* Hepatitis B status known (for patients with a history of hepatitis B or who are at high risk of hepatitis B infection)

Renal

* Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times ULN

Cardiovascular

* No significant cardiac dysfunction or cardiovascular disease

Other

* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception
* Willing to complete quality of life questionnaires
* HIV negative
* No active, uncontrolled bacterial, fungal, or viral infection
* No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix
* No other concurrent serious illness or medical condition that would preclude study participation

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

* See Chemotherapy
* Prior rituximab allowed

Chemotherapy

* See Disease Characteristics
* At least 4 weeks since prior IV chemotherapy
* No prior high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplantation

Endocrine therapy

* No concurrent corticosteroids except for physiologic replacement

Radiotherapy

* At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered

  * Exceptions may be made for low-dose, non-myelosuppressive radiotherapy
* No prior radiotherapy to more than 25% of functioning bone marrow
* Involved-field radiotherapy may be given to areas of bulky disease at relapse (≥ 5 cm) after stem cell transplantation, according to the center's policy

Surgery

* At least 2 weeks since prior major surgery

Other

* No other concurrent anticancer therapy
* No other concurrent experimental agents