AIDS-related non-Hodgkin-lymphoma

Patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have shown an increased propensity for developing non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL). In order to assess the response to and overall treatment benefit of radiation therapy in AIDS-related lymphoma, the authors have reviewed the records of 15 patients with AIDS and NHL treated with radiation therapy. Of those patients with central nervous system (CNS) involvement, 54% showed disease progression or no improvement during treatment. Conversely, AIDS patients with lymphoma outside the CNS were more likely to respond to radiation therapy and have longer survival. The authors conclude that the efficacy of radiation therapy in AIDS patients with lymphoma might depend on CNS involvement