title: Localized radiation increases morbidity and mortality after TBI-containing autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with lymphoma.
abstract: The purpose of this study is to assess the relationship between involved field radiation therapy (IFRT) and treatment-related morbidity and mortality in patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy (HDC), total body irradiation (TBI) and autologous peripheral stem cell transplant (PSCT) for Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Between January 1994 and May 2002, 156 patients underwent HDC, TBI and autologous PSCT. Localized external beam radiation therapy was given to 21 patients for consolidation, or to achieve control of symptomatic or active disease prior to or after transplant. Among patients who had IFRT prior to autologous PSCT, five treatment-related deaths were observed, compared to seven deaths in 135 patients who had autologous PSCT without IFRT (P<0.01). Most deaths were attributable to sepsis and multiorgan failure. A higher incidence of pneumonitis was also noted in patients exposed to mediastinal irradiation. No adverse impact on long-term survival could be demonstrated. Involved field radiation prior to TBI is associated with higher treatment-related mortality in lymphoma patients undergoing autologous peripheral stem cell transplant, necessitating careful monitoring.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology and Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles 90095, USA. cemmamou@mednet.ucla.edu
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Emmanouilides
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Asuncion
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Territo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D002423:Cause of Death; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000209:etiology; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000209:etiology; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016879:Salvage Therapy / Q000379:methods; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality*