Radiation therapy in the treatment of lymphoma.

Overview

In most cases, lymphoma is a systemic disease even when detected at an early stage. Although radiation is primarily a local treatment, the exquisite radiosensitivity of lymphomas to radiation has allowed radiotherapy to remain an important component in the management of both indolent and aggressive types of lymphoma. Recent studies established the following points: 1) For early-stage intermediate grade lymphoma, combined modality is the treatment of choice. 2) A large fraction of patients with stage I-II low-grade lymphoma attain long-term disease-free survival with radiation alone. 3) Extranodal mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas are easily controlled with low-dose involved-field radiotherapy. Preliminary data suggest that even in an advanced-stage, intermediate-grade, adjuvant radiotherapy to bulky sites may improve outcome. This issue merits further study.