CLINICAL STAGE IE PRIMARY LYMPHOMA OF THE NASAL CAVITY - RADIATION-THERAPY AND CHEMOTHERAPY

PURPOSE: To determine the appropriate radiation therapy and chemothera py for primary lymphoma of the nasal cavity to improve the local contr ol and survival rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of the 25 adult patients with stage IE nasal lymphoma, nine underwent local radiation therapy alone and 16 underwent radiation therapy and chemotherapy (intravenous infusion). Radiation doses to the involved area were 22-54 Gy (median dose, 49 Gy). RESULTS: The 5- and 10-year causes-specific survival ra tes were 91% and 73%, respectively. The 5- and 10-year disease-free su rvival rates were 83% and 59%, respectively. Eight patients developed recurrent disease: six at the local site, one in the cervical nodes, a nd one in the small intestine. Five of the six patients with local rec urrence received less than 50 Gy. Four of the six patients developed r ecurrent disease in the treated area; the other two patients developed marginal recurrences. Prognostic factors such as age, sex, maximum tu mor size, and lactate dehydrogenase level were of limited value. CONCL USION: The most common recurrence site was the local site. To improve the local control rate, the involved area should be treated with high- dose radiation therapy. The clinical results did not demonstrate the u sefulness of combination chemotherapy for stage IE nasal lymphoma.