A retrospective international study on primary extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of the lung (BALT lymphoma) on behalf of International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group (IELSG)

Hematol Oncol. 2016 Dec;34(4):177-183. doi: 10.1002/hon.2243. Epub 2015 Jul 7.

Abstract

Primary lymphoma of the lung is a rare entity. Clinical features, optimal treatment, role of surgery and outcomes are not well defined, and the follow-up is variable in published data. Clinical data of 205 patients who were confirmed to have bronchus mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma from December 1986 to December 2011 in 17 different centres worldwide were evaluated. Fifty-five per cent of the patients were female. The median age at diagnosis was 62 (range 28-88) years. Only 9% had a history of exposure to toxic substances, while about 45% of the patients had a history of smoking. Ten per cent of the patients had autoimmune disease at presentation, and 19% patients had a reported preexisting lung disease. Treatment modalities included surgery alone in 63 patients (30%), radiotherapy in 3 (2%), antibiotics in 1 (1%) and systemic treatment in 128 (62%). Patients receiving a local approach, mainly surgical resection, experienced significantly improved progression-free survival (p = 0.003) versus those receiving a systemic treatment. There were no other significant differences among treatment modalities. The survival data confirm the indolent nature of the disease. Local therapy (surgery or radiotherapy) results in long-term disease-free survival for patients with localized disease. Systemic treatment, including alkylating-containing regimens, can be reserved to patients in relapse after incomplete surgical excision or for patients with advanced disease. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Keywords: Achromobacter (Alcaligenes) xylosoxidans; BALT lymphoma; marginal zone lymphoma.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / mortality*
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / mortality*
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Rate