Role of Radiation Therapy in Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Guidelines from the International Lymphoma Radiation Oncology Group

Abstract

Approximately 30% to 40% of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) will have either primary refractory disease or relapse after chemotherapy. In transplant-eligible patients, those with disease sensitive to salvage chemotherapy will significantly benefit from high-dose therapy with autologous stem cell transplantation. The rationale for considering radiation therapy (RT) for selected patients with relapsed/refractory DLBCL as a part of the salvage program is based on data regarding the patterns of relapse and retrospective series showing improved local control and clinical outcomes for patients who received peritransplant RT. In transplant-ineligible patients, RT can provide eff..