Study of splenic irradiation in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
A retrospective study was performed to assess the effect of splenic irradiation (SI) on splenomegaly, splenic pain, anemia, and thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Twenty-two patients received 32 courses of SI. Of 31 courses of SI given for splenomegaly there were 19 responders (61%). Ten courses of SI were given for splenic pain resulting in partial relief of pain in 4 courses and complete relief in 4 courses. Only 4 of 16 courses given for anemia resulted in elevations of hemoglobin of 2 g/dL or more. Of the 14 courses of SI given for thrombocytopenia there were only 2 responses with platelet counts decreasing further in another 9 courses. The median duration of response was 14 months (range: 3-116 months). There was no dose-response relationship detected for SI in CLL. Treatment related toxicity was hematologic and secondary to leucopenia and thrombocytopenia. We recommend the use of small fraction sizes of 25 cGy to 50 cGy and close monitoring of hematological parameters. Splenic irradiation effectively palliates splenomegaly and reduces spleen size in CLL. It was of limited value in correcting anemia and thrombocytopenia in this patient population.
- Research Organization:
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, Melbourne (Australia)
- OSTI ID:
- 6268822
- Journal Information:
- Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States), Vol. 16:1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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LEUKEMIA
RADIOTHERAPY
SPLEEN
FRACTIONATED IRRADIATION
ANEMIAS
BLOOD PLATELETS
PAIN
PATIENTS
SPLENOMEGALY
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BLOOD
BLOOD CELLS
BODY
BODY FLUIDS
DISEASES
HEMIC DISEASES
IMMUNE SYSTEM DISEASES
IRRADIATION
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
RADIOLOGY
SYMPTOMS
THERAPY
550603* - Medicine- External Radiation in Therapy- (1980-)