Nuclear Medicine & Radiation Therapy

Results of Radiation Therapy (RT) for Primary Extranodal Lymphoma of the Head and Neck: RT Techniques and Literature Review

Abstract

Aruna Turaka

Radiation therapy (RT) is an important treatment modality for extra-nodal lymphoma (ENL) of the head and neck (H&N). Intensity Modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has been shown to be associated with decrease in the incidence of late side effects in squamous cell carcinoma of the H&N region. The purpose of the study is to determine the treatment outcomes and late toxicities in 14 patients with ENL of H&N treated with two different RT techniques. Median age was 60 years (range: 42-95). Median follow up was 28 months (range: 1-52). Thirteen patients were treated with RT (8 with IMRT) while one patient with chemotherapy only. Majority of the patients had stage I disease (64%). Overall response rate after combined modality treatment was 100%. There were no local or neck node relapses and none with grade 3 or 4 toxicities. Radiation therapy following chemotherapy or used alone was associated with better local and distant disease control and IMRT is associated with less toxicity profile compared with conventional radiotherapy techniques.