Salvage treatment and survival for relapsed follicular lymphoma following primary radiation therapy: A collaborative study on behalf of ILROG Journal Article


Authors: Binkley, M. S.; Brady, J. L.; Hajj, C.; Chelius, M.; Chau, K.; Balogh, A.; Levis, M.; Filippi, A. R.; Jones, M.; Ahmed, S.; MacManus, M.; Wirth, A.; Oguchi, M.; Vistisen, A. K.; Andraos, T. Y.; Ng, A. K.; Aleman, B. M. P.; Choi, S. H.; Kirova, Y. M.; Hardy, S.; Reinartz, G.; Eich, H. T.; Bratman, S. V.; Constine, L. S.; Suh, C. O.; Dabaja, B.; El-Galaly, T. C.; Hodgson, D. C.; Ricardi, U.; Yahalom, J.; Mikhaeel, N. G.; Hoppe, R. T.
Article Title: Salvage treatment and survival for relapsed follicular lymphoma following primary radiation therapy: A collaborative study on behalf of ILROG
Abstract: Purpose: We previously reported that ∼30% of patients with localized follicular lymphoma (FL)staged by 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography receiving primary radiation therapy (RT)will relapse within 5 years. We sought to report outcomes for those who relapsed. Methods and Materials: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective study of patients aged ≥18 years who received RT ≥ 24 Gy for stage I to II, grade 1 to 3A FL, staged with 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose ( 18 F-FDG)positron emission tomography-computed tomography. Observation was defined as >6 months without treatment from relapse. Overall survival (OS)and freedom from progression (FFP)were estimated with Kaplan-Meier analysis and univariable and multivariable analyses with Cox regression. Results: Of 512 patients with median follow-up of 52 months, 149 (29.1%)developed recurrent lymphoma at a median of 23 months (range, 1-143)after primary RT. Median follow-up was 33 months after relapse. Three-year OS was 91.4% after recurrence. OS was significantly worse for those with relapse ≤12 months from date of diagnosis versus all others—88.7% versus 97.6%, respectively (P =.01)—and remained significantly worse on multivariable analyses (follicular lymphoma international prognostic index–adjusted hazard ratio, 3.61; P =.009). Histology at relapse included 93 indolent (grade 1-3A), 3 FL grade 3B/not otherwise specified, and 18 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma; 35 patients did not undergo biopsy. Of those with follow-up ≥3 months who underwent biopsy (n = 74)or had presumed (n = 23)indolent recurrence, 58 patients (59.8%)were observed, 19 (19.6%)had systemic therapy, 16 (16.5%)had RT, and 4 (4.1%)had systemic therapy + RT. For patients with indolent recurrences that were observed, 3-year FFP or freedom from treatment was 56.6% (median, 48 months). For all patients with biopsied/presumed indolent recurrence receiving salvage treatment (n = 59, including 20 initially observed)3-year FFP was 73.9%. Conclusions: Prognosis for patients with relapsed FL after primary radiation therapy is excellent, supporting the role of primary radiation in the management of early stage disease. Patients with localized FL treated with primary RT who experience early relapse (<12 months)have inferior survival compared with those with longer disease-free interval. © 2019 Elsevier Inc.
Keywords: positron emission tomography; radiotherapy; oncology; biopsy; computerized tomography; disease control; follicular lymphoma; positrons; diffuse large b-cell lymphoma; salvage treatment; multivariable analysis; methods and materials; kaplan-meier analysis; 18-f-fluorodeoxyglucose; primary radiations
Journal Title: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics
Volume: 104
Issue: 3
ISSN: 0360-3016
Publisher: Elsevier Inc.  
Date Published: 2019-07-01
Start Page: 522
End Page: 529
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2019.03.004
PUBMED: 30858143
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC8162056
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 3 June 2019 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Joachim Yahalom
    625 Yahalom
  2. Carla Hajj
    164 Hajj
  3. Monica Rose Chelius
    16 Chelius
  4. Karen Chau
    30 Chau