Complete remission of a lymphoma-associated chylothorax by radiotherapy of the celiac trunk and thoracic duct.
BACKGROUND
A chylothorax is a rare complication of mostly advanced malignant lymphomas. A case of a refractory chylothorax unresponsive to chemotherapy and successfully treated with radiotherapy is reported.


METHODS
A 45-year-old woman with recurrent stage IV low-grade follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and a progressive chylothorax is described. The CT scans showed bulky lymphadenopathy at the thoracic trunk but no detectable enlargement of mediastinal lymph nodes. After ineffective pretreatment including chemotherapy and chest drainage, fractionated radiotherapy to the celiac trunk (20.4 Gy) and the thoracic duct (15 Gy) was performed.


RESULTS
Already after 7.5 Gy a rapid decline of chylothorax was noted and the chest drain could be removed. A complete remission of the chylothorax could be achieved after 20.4 Gy. During a follow-up of 16 months no recurrence of chylothorax occurred. CT scans showed nearly complete remission of the lymphadenopathy of the celiac trunk 12 months after radiotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Radiotherapy with limited total doses is an effective treatment option for lymphoma-associated chylothorax and should always be taken into consideration, especially in cases unresponsive to chemotherapy.
Gerstein
Johanna
J
Department of Radiation Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
Kofahl-Krause
Dorothea
D
Frühauf
Jörg
J
Bremer
Michael
M
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002445:Celiac Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002916:Chylothorax / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018450:Disease Progression; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015182:Lymphatic Irradiation; D008224:Lymphoma, Follicular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D013897:Thoracic Duct / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed