Dramatic radiotherapy response in a necrotic lymphoma mass: a case report

Abstract Background Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) represents the most common form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is characterized by an aggressive natural history. It often presents with rapid symptom development and disease progression. Most lymphomas are inherently radiosensitive, which allow...

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Main Authors: Nicholas McNeil, Peter Gorayski, Danielle Blunt, Daniel Roos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2020-07-01
Series:Journal of Medical Case Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13256-020-02438-1
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author Nicholas McNeil
Peter Gorayski
Danielle Blunt
Daniel Roos
author_facet Nicholas McNeil
Peter Gorayski
Danielle Blunt
Daniel Roos
author_sort Nicholas McNeil
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) represents the most common form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is characterized by an aggressive natural history. It often presents with rapid symptom development and disease progression. Most lymphomas are inherently radiosensitive, which allows for effective disease control from relatively low radiation doses. We report a case of a dramatic radiotherapy response in a necrotic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma mass in an elderly patient with early-stage diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, illustrating the potential for palliative radiotherapy to reduce disease burden in patients not fit for systemic therapy. There is no current consensus recommendation for radiotherapy treatment in this setting. Case presentation A 97-year-old Caucasian woman presented to the emergency department of our institution with a painful, malodorous, necrotic right upper neck mass, which had progressed over a two-month period. Investigations confirmed stage 1A diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Palliative radiotherapy was delivered to a dose of 25 Gray (Gy) in five fractions on alternate days over two consecutive weeks. After four months, the mass completely resolved with no residual symptoms. Conclusion Dramatic responses resulting in durable local control and improvement in quality of life are achievable with palliative radiotherapy, owing to the radiosensitivity of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
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spelling doaj.art-866db5514f6447639e326f576731abbc2022-12-22T01:31:50ZengBMCJournal of Medical Case Reports1752-19472020-07-011411510.1186/s13256-020-02438-1Dramatic radiotherapy response in a necrotic lymphoma mass: a case reportNicholas McNeil0Peter Gorayski1Danielle Blunt2Daniel Roos3Royal Adelaide HospitalRoyal Adelaide HospitalRoyal Adelaide HospitalRoyal Adelaide HospitalAbstract Background Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) represents the most common form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is characterized by an aggressive natural history. It often presents with rapid symptom development and disease progression. Most lymphomas are inherently radiosensitive, which allows for effective disease control from relatively low radiation doses. We report a case of a dramatic radiotherapy response in a necrotic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma mass in an elderly patient with early-stage diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, illustrating the potential for palliative radiotherapy to reduce disease burden in patients not fit for systemic therapy. There is no current consensus recommendation for radiotherapy treatment in this setting. Case presentation A 97-year-old Caucasian woman presented to the emergency department of our institution with a painful, malodorous, necrotic right upper neck mass, which had progressed over a two-month period. Investigations confirmed stage 1A diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Palliative radiotherapy was delivered to a dose of 25 Gray (Gy) in five fractions on alternate days over two consecutive weeks. After four months, the mass completely resolved with no residual symptoms. Conclusion Dramatic responses resulting in durable local control and improvement in quality of life are achievable with palliative radiotherapy, owing to the radiosensitivity of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13256-020-02438-1LymphomaPalliativeRadiotherapyRadiosensitivity
spellingShingle Nicholas McNeil
Peter Gorayski
Danielle Blunt
Daniel Roos
Dramatic radiotherapy response in a necrotic lymphoma mass: a case report
Journal of Medical Case Reports
Lymphoma
Palliative
Radiotherapy
Radiosensitivity
title Dramatic radiotherapy response in a necrotic lymphoma mass: a case report
title_full Dramatic radiotherapy response in a necrotic lymphoma mass: a case report
title_fullStr Dramatic radiotherapy response in a necrotic lymphoma mass: a case report
title_full_unstemmed Dramatic radiotherapy response in a necrotic lymphoma mass: a case report
title_short Dramatic radiotherapy response in a necrotic lymphoma mass: a case report
title_sort dramatic radiotherapy response in a necrotic lymphoma mass a case report
topic Lymphoma
Palliative
Radiotherapy
Radiosensitivity
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13256-020-02438-1
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