title: Survival improvement with combined radio-chemotherapy in the primary central nervous system lymphomas.
abstract: The benefits of radio-chemotherapy in HIV-negative primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphomas were analyzed in 40 patients, who received radiotherapy to the brain or craniospinal axis with the total dose of 4460-5940 cGy to the primary tumor. Radiotherapy was followed by systemic chemotherapy, mainly with the cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone (CHOP) regimen, in 16 of the patients. Follow-up ranged from four to 95 months with a median of 15 months. The relapse rate was 72.5%, and 83% of the relapses occurred within the radiation field. Median survival was 19 months and the two-year survival rate was 41%. Survival was significantly influenced by treatment method and radiation dose when measured by univariate analysis; median survival and the two-year survival rate was 29 months and 63% after radio-chemotherapy, while 13.5 month and 29% after radiotherapy alone (p= 0.027), and 22 months and 49% with doses of 50 Gy or more, but 12.5 months and 13% with doses less than 50 Gy (p=0.009). However, statistical significance was lost in multivariate analysis. These results might suggest the short-term efficacy of radio-chemotherapy, however, cautious observation is needed to confirm long-term effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Korea.
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: I H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.forename: C I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Y J
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Bang
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Huh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016543:Central Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008466:Mechlorethamine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011344:Procarbazine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D015996:Survival Rate; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D001761:Bleomycin; D011344:Procarbazine; D015251:Epirubicin; D008466:Mechlorethamine; D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011239:Prednisolone; D008727:Methotrexate