Hitting a Moving Target: Successful Management of Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma Involving the Mesentery With Volumetric Image-guided Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy

Introduction: We report successful treatment of mesenteric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) using localized involved site radiation therapy (ISRT), intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), and daily computed tomography (CT)-image guidance.

Patients and methods: Patients with mesenteric DLBCL treated with RT between 2011 and 2017 were reviewed. Clinical and treatment characteristics were analyzed for an association with local control, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival.

Results: Twenty-three patients were eligible. At diagnosis, the median age was 52 years (range, 38-76 years), and 57% (n = 13) had stage I/II DLBCL. All patients received frontline chemotherapy (ChT) (R-CHOP [rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone], n = 19; dose-adjusted R-EPOCH [rituximab, etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin], n = 4) with median 6 cycles. Prior to RT, salvage ChT for refractory DLBCL was given to 43% (n = 10) and autologous stem cell transplantation was administered in 13% (n = 3). At the time of RT, positron emission tomography-CT revealed 5-point scale of 1 to 3 (48%; n = 11), 4 (9%; n = 2), and 5 (44%; n = 10). All patients received IMRT, daily CT imaging, and ISRT. The median RT dose was 40 Gy (range, 16.2-49.4 Gy). Relapse or progression occurred in 22% (n = 5). At a median follow-up of 37 months, the 3-year local control, PFS, and overall survival rates were 80%, 75%, and 96%, respectively. Among patients treated with RT after complete metabolic response to frontline ChT (n = 8), the 3-year PFS was 100%, compared with 61% for patients with a history of chemorefractory DLBCL (n = 15; P = .055). Four of the 5 relapses occurred in patients with 5-point scale of 5 prior to RT (P = .127).

Conclusion: Mesenteric involvement of DLBCL can be successfully targeted with localized ISRT fields using IMRT and daily CT-image guidance.