Radiotherapy of malignant lymphoma in the orbital region

Eight patients with localized malignant lymphoma in the orbital region received radiotherapy at the department of radiology, Kyoto University Hospital from 1961 to 1979. All were Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, diffuse type. Local control was obtained in each case with radiation doses ranging from 4,000 -- 5,000 rads, and there was no local recurrence. Of 7 patients followed for more than two years, 2 died of relapse at distant sites, 1 died of unrelated disease, and 4 are alive with no evidence of disease from 2 years to 5 years and 7 months after radiotherapy. There was no case which developed relapse in the neck nodes. From our experience it is considered that radiotherapy is the first choice for local control of orbital lymphoma and chemotherapy may be necessary to prevent relapse at distant sites. Prophylactic irradiation to neck nodes might be of little value for the treatment of orbital lymphoma. (author)