Low-dose radiation treatment in pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma: a plausible approach? A single-institution experience in 10 patients.

PURPOSE: To propose an alternative approach for treatment of pulmonary marginal zone lymphoma, using a very small radiation dose (2 × 2 Gy) delivered exclusively to tumor sites. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients had localized pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma according to the World Health Organization classification. The 6-MV radiation treatments were delivered using tumor-limited fields, except in cases of diffuse bilateral involvement. Two daily fractions of 2 Gy were delivered to tumor-limited fields using a 6-MV linear accelerator.
RESULTS: Ten patients with pulmonary MALT lymphoma entered the study. All but 1 had localized tumor masses. The median follow-up was 56 months (range, 2-103 months). Complete remission or an unconfirmed complete remission was obtained in 60% of patients within the first 2 months, and two additional partial responses were converted into a long-term unconfirmed complete remission. All patients are well and alive, no local progression was observed, and the 5-year progression-free survival rate was 87.5% (95% confidence interval 49%-97%).
CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that extremely low radiation doses delivered exclusively to tumor sites might be a treatment option in pulmonary MALT lymphoma.