title: Radiotherapy as an effective treatment modality for follicular lymphoma: a single institution experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Follicular lymphoma (FL) is an indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that is highly sensitive to radiotherapy (RT). However, the effectiveness of RT has not been well established. We reviewed our experiences to assess the role of RT for FL and analyze treatment results.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis was done on 29 patients who received first RT between January 2003 and August 2013. Of 23 early stage (stage I, II) patients, 16 received RT alone, four received chemotherapy followed by RT, two received RT postoperatively, and one received salvage RT for relapse after resection. Six advanced-stage (stage III, IV) patients received RT after chemotherapy: two received consolidation RT, three received salvage RT for residual lesions, and one received RT for progressive sites. Median RT dose was 30.6 Gy (range, 21.6 to 48.6 Gy). Median follow-up duration was 62 months (range, 6 to 141 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients showed complete response in the radiation field. Eight outfield relapses were reported. Seven patients received salvage treatment (three chemotherapy, four RT). Four patients showed excellent responses, especially to RT. Estimated 5-year and 10-year relapse-free survivals were 72% and 60%. In the RT-alone group, 5-year relapse-free survival was 74.5%. All advanced-stage patients were disease-free with 100% 5-year overall survival. Disease-specific death was noted in only one patient; four others died of other unrelated causes. No significant toxicity was reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RT resulted in excellent treatment outcomes for all FL stages when used as a primary treatment modality for early stage or salvage-treatment modality for advanced-stage disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seo Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jaeho
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jin Seok
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: June-Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Cheong
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Chang-Ok
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Suh
keywords: Follicular lymphoma; Radiotherapy; Treatment outcome