ABSTRACT
We assessed the quality of life (QOL) at least one year after sequential chemoradiotherapy for the treatment of localized gastric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We used the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire for Stomach Cancer (EORTC QLQ-STO22). Among the 45 patients available at the one-year follow-up after radiation therapy, 40 patients completed the EORTC QLQ-STO22 questionnaire. Their median age was 54.5 (range, 20-70 years). Social functioning was most adversely affected among the respondents with a score of 59, whereas other functions and the global scales were preserved above a score of 70 by linearly transformed values. Fatigue, the financial impact and specific emotional problems such as "thinking about their illness" (STO-ANX) and "worry about weight loss or future health" (STO-BI) were persistently bothersome for some patients. Other stomach-related symptoms such as dysphagia, pain, or reflux were negligible at 1 year after treatment. Therefore, this organ-preserving combined approach was effective for the maintenance of the QOL and minimization of stomach abnormalities in patients with gastric lymphoma.
Subject(s)
Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/psychology , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/therapy , Quality of Life , Stomach Neoplasms/psychology , Stomach Neoplasms/therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Combined Modality Therapy , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Radiotherapy , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
We aimed to define the role of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, prednisone (CHOP) followed by involved field radiotherapy (IFRT) for treating localized primary gastric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Newly diagnosed patients with localized primary gastric DLBCL were to receive four cycles of CHOP followed by IFRT of 40.0 Gy. At 1 year after the completion of treatment, patients filled out the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire specified for stomach cancer (QLQ-C30-STO22). Fifty evaluable patients (25 men, 25 women) were included. The median age was 54.5 years (range, 21 - 73 years. The overall response rate to the CHOP was 94% (95% confidence interval [CI], 87 - 100) in the intent-to-treat population. Forty-one of the 50 patients (82%; 95% CI, 71 - 93) achieved complete remission (CR). After the completion of radiotherapy, five patients who were in PR following chemotherapy eventually attained CR. The overall complete response rate was thus 92% (95% confidence interval, 84 - 99). With a median follow-up period of 30 months, the 2-year progression-free and overall survival rate was 92% and 92%, respectively. The gastric function was well preserved with negligible stomach-related symptoms at 1 year after the completion of treatment. This organ-preserving combined treatment is highly effective and well tolerated for the patients with localized gastric DLBCL.
