TY - JOUR

T1 - Reappraisal of the role of radiation therapy in lymphoma treatment

AU - Specht, Lena

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Authors. Hematological Oncology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - Radiation therapy (RT) for lymphomas has improved dramatically with modern imaging and treatment techniques, encompassing only the necessary volume with minimal doses to normal structures. Prescribed radiation doses are reduced, and fractionation schedules are under revision. With effective systemic treatment only initial macroscopic disease is irradiated. With no or less effective systemic treatment, possible microscopic disease is also included. Risks of long-term side effects of RT have diminished dramatically and should be weighed against risks from more systemic treatment or increased risk of relapse. Lymphoma patients are often elderly, they tolerate modern limited RT very well. Lymphomas refractory to systemic treatments often remain radioresponsive, and brief, mild RT may offer effective palliation. New roles for RT are emerging with immune therapies. RT for “bridging,” keeping the lymphoma under control while waiting for immune therapy, is well established. Enhancement of the immune response to lymphomas, so-called “priming,” is being intensively researched.

AB - Radiation therapy (RT) for lymphomas has improved dramatically with modern imaging and treatment techniques, encompassing only the necessary volume with minimal doses to normal structures. Prescribed radiation doses are reduced, and fractionation schedules are under revision. With effective systemic treatment only initial macroscopic disease is irradiated. With no or less effective systemic treatment, possible microscopic disease is also included. Risks of long-term side effects of RT have diminished dramatically and should be weighed against risks from more systemic treatment or increased risk of relapse. Lymphoma patients are often elderly, they tolerate modern limited RT very well. Lymphomas refractory to systemic treatments often remain radioresponsive, and brief, mild RT may offer effective palliation. New roles for RT are emerging with immune therapies. RT for “bridging,” keeping the lymphoma under control while waiting for immune therapy, is well established. Enhancement of the immune response to lymphomas, so-called “priming,” is being intensively researched.

KW - bridging

KW - high precision

KW - lymphoma

KW - modern techniques

KW - radiation therapy

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85161816391&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1002/hon.3151

DO - 10.1002/hon.3151

M3 - Review

C2 - 37294967

AN - SCOPUS:85161816391

VL - 41

SP - 75

EP - 81

JO - Hematological Oncology

JF - Hematological Oncology

SN - 0278-0232

IS - S1

ER -