The Value of Radiation Therapy for the Treatment of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma in a New Era

Abstract

As a highly heterogeneous disease, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma shows different clinical presentations, molecular and immunophenotypic characteristics, International Prognostic Index (IPI score) and response to therapy, which consequently brings about different prognoses and survival results. In addition to surgery and chemotherapy, radiation is also one important modality to treat diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Over the past few decades, radiation therapy has stepped forward because of technological revolutions. The role of radiation in treating diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is discussed, including: i) advances in modern-day radiation technology ii) potential toxicity from radiation, iii) indications for radiation, and iv) available studies about the efficacy of radiation.