Risk potentiality of frontline radiotherapy associated cataract in primary ocular adnexal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma

Long-Term Clinical Outcomes in Treatment-Naïve Patients With Orbital Adnexal Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma: A Single-Center Study

Ocular adnexal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma (OAML) is the most common type of ocular lymphoma with a higher prevalence in Asia than in Western countries. OAML represents 1%–2% of all non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, 5%–15% of extranodal lymphomas, and approximately 55% of orbital malignancies. “Watch and wait” after biopsy or surgical resection, radiation therapy, and systemic treatment, including antibiotics administration and chemotherapy with various combinations of regimens can be considered for OAML treatment. Radiotherapy is adapted for limited-stage disease with excellent clinical outcomes of 85–100% complete remission and relatively superior local control efficacy and treatment duration. In contrast, chemotherapy has rarely been tested as frontline therapy. Nonetheless, several studies have reported a favorable response and long duration of progression-free survival using chemotherapy adaptations. When the disease involves both eyes or spreads beyond the conjunctiva, the risk of recurrence increases and limited-stage OAML has a recurrence rate of approximately 25% following radiotherapy only. Therefore, although recent consensus in the literature is that patients with limited-stage OAML recommended treating with radiation, physicians may choose the treatment modality not only by its efficiency but also by its adverse events profile and patients’ well-being. Herein, we present a large single-center study on OAML that included 292 patients who were followed up for up to 237 months. We collected and analyzed real-world data focusing on treatment outcomes and the role of radiotherapy as frontline therapy, and aimed to compare outcomes and complication profiles of chemotherapy, especially in limited-stage OAML, to identify an optimal treatment strategy.

Ultra-low-dose radiation treatment for early-stage ocular adnexal MALT lymphoma

PURPOSE

To investigate the long-term outcomes of ultra-low-dose (4 Gy) radiation treatment (RT) in patients with early-stage ocular adnexal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma.

METHODS

This retrospective case series includes eight patients with ocular adnexal MALT lymphoma who received ultra-low-dose RT at a single tertiary referral center between March 2016 and February 2018. Response to treatment and the time taken to respond were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the eight patients (three men, five women), seven patients had conjunctival lymphoma (T1N0M0), and one patient had orbital lymphoma (T2N0M0). Six patients with T1 disease showed complete response (CR), and the median time to CR was 4.5 months (range 2-5). Partial response was achieved in the remaining two patients (one each with T1 and T2). During the median follow-up period of 44 months (range 30-54), none of the patients had a relapse or needed additional treatment. RT was well-tolerated in all patients with no ocular complications, including cataracts and dry eye.

CONCLUSION

This case series suggests that ultra-low-dose RT is effective and well-tolerated in patients with early-stage ocular adnexal MALT lymphoma. Further studies with a larger sample size and long-term follow-up are needed to evaluate the local control rate and disease-free survival precisely.

Outcomes of cataract surgery in patients previously treated with orbital radiotherapy

PURPOSE

This study aims to quantify the risks of cataract surgery in patients who have previously undergone external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). Cataract is a side effect of this treatment, and the risk of complications following cataract surgery in this cohort is poorly understood.

SETTING

Tertiary ophthalmology and oncology hospital.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

METHODS

Patients treated with orbital EBRT at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre between 2001 and 2019 were identified, and clinical records were reviewed to identify those who had subsequently undergone cataract surgery. Pre- and post-operative case records, and operation records, were reviewed to identify demographic data, and data regarding complications and surgical outcomes.

RESULTS

Forty-six eyes (of 33 patients) were included in this study. The indications for EBRT included thyroid eye disease, lymphoma, choroidal metastases and other orbital malignancies. Mean corrected pre-operative Snellen visual acuity (VA) was 20/100 (range 20/30-20/2000) improving to 20/25 (20/12 to 20/160, one-way ANOVA p<0.01). Mean visual gain was 0.5 LogMAR (-0.9 to 1.9). There was one case of posterior capsule (PC) rupture with vitreous loss (2%). Dense PC plaque was noted intra-operatively in 19.5% (n=9). 13% (n=6) required Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy. There were six cases (13%) of cystoid macular oedema (CMO).

CONCLUSION

Visual outcomes following cataract surgery are similar in this cohort of patients to those obtained in a nationwide cohort. EBRT seems to be associated with an increased incidence of intra-operative PC plaque, post-operative CMO (which in most cases settled with treatment), and need for posterior capsulotomy.

Radiotherapy alone for stage IE ocular adnexal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas: long-term results

Background

To evaluate the long-term efficacy and toxicity of radiation therapy in patients with Stage IE primary ocular adnexal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma.

Methods

We designed a retrospective analysis to evaluate 81 patients with ocular adnexal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma treated with radiation therapy between 2006 and 2016. The median radiation dose was 30 Gy (range, 30–36 Gy in 15–18 fractions). Local control, progression-free survival, overall survival, and cumulative incidence of Grade 3 cataract were calculated by using the Kaplan–Meier method.

Result

The median follow-up time was 74 months (range, 4–157 months). The 5-year local control was 100%. Although local relapse was suspected in 3 patients after radiation therapy, 2 patients were pathologically diagnosed as IgG4-related inflammation and in 1 patient as intense inflammatory cell infiltration. The 5-year progression-free survival was 94.4%. Five patients had relapse at distant sites. The 5-year overall survival was 98.8%. Twenty patients had Grade 3 cataract. The 5-year cumulative incidences of Grade ≥ 3 and Grade ≥ 2 cataract for 58 patients treated without a lens shield were 38 and 40%, respectively. The incidence of Grade ≥ 3 cataract was 42% for 50 patients treated with 6-MV X-rays (estimated lens dose: 29 Gy) and 17% for 8 patients treated with 9-MeV electrons (estimated lens dose: 24 Gy).

Conclusions

Radiation therapy alone yielded excellent local control and long-term survival in Stage IE ocular adnexal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. Long-term observation with careful attention to relapse at distant sites is necessary. In the case of suspected local relapse, IgG4-related disease should be carefully ruled out.

Role of F-18 FDG PET/CT in non-conjunctival origin ocular adnexal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas

Background

Despite the widespread use of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) in the diagnosis and response assessment of patients with lymphoma, few studies have assessed its value in ocular adnexal lymphomas. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of FDG PET/CT in staging of non-conjunctival origin ocular adnexal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas (OAML). In addition, the diagnostic sensitivity of FDG PET/CT was compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). FDG PET/CT of 123 consecutive patients with pathologically proven OAML between January 2009 and February 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients with MALT lymphoma originating from conjunctiva were excluded. A total 50 patients with non-conjunctival origin OAML were assessed. Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and additional PET parameters were measured for all lesions. Sensitivity for primary tumor detection was compared with MRI.

Results

Ten patients had bilateral OAML and total 60 OAML lesions were analyzed. MRI was missing in one patient. The tumor locations were as follows: eyelid, 9; lacrimal gland, 18; orbit, 33. Fifty lesions (83.3%) were FDG-avid tumors with mean ± SD SUVmax 4.8 ± 2.4 (range 2.0~11.1). The mean SUVmax according to tumor location were as follows: eyelid, 3.7 ± 1.1 (2.8~5.3); lacrimal gland, 3.6 ± 1.4 (2.1~6.4); orbit, 5.7 ± 2.6 (2.0~11.1). Mean SUVmax among the 3 locations were statistically different (P = 0.010). The sensitivity was calculated as 83.1% (49/59) for FDG PET/CT and 89.8% (53/59) for MRI, which were statistically comparable (P = 0.219 by McNemar’s test). Seven of 50 patients (14%) were upstaged by detection of extraocular lesions by FDG PET/CT (1 kidney and lung, 1 tonsil, 4 cervical LNs, 1 sacral foramen).

Conclusion

83.3% of the non-conjunctival origin OAML were FDG-avid tumors, with FDG PET/CT showing comparable sensitivity to that of MRI. FDG PET/CT detected unsuspected extraocular lymphoma involvement in 14% of the patients. FDG PET/CT performed for staging of non-conjunctival origin OAML may thus guide therapeutic management.

Treatment-associated outcomes of patients with primary ocular adnexal MALT lymphoma after accurate diagnosis

BACKGROUND

Differentiation between primary ocular adnexal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (POA-MALT) lymphoma and reactive lymphoid hyperplasias sometimes may be difficult. We have examined the treatment-associated mortality of POA-MALT lymphoma after confirmed diagnosis and evaluated their proper treatments.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 1991 through 2016, cases of POA-MALT lymphoma were retrospectively analyzed based on their pathological and molecular/immunological diagnoses.

RESULTS

A total of 78 cases with POA-MALT lymphoma with a median age of 66 years were analyzed over median/mean observations of 6.4/7.1 years. Forty-four patients (56%) were diagnosed with IgH gene clonality and 10 patients (13%) were diagnosed with flow cytometric analysis in addition to the pathological decision. The rest (24 patients, 31%) were diagnosed employing pathological decisions of hemato-pathologists and clinical decisions. All patients, except cases of watchful waiting, achieved complete remission. After initial treatment, 68 patients (87%) presented disease-free during the observation period. As treatment, a radiotherapy-based strategy was followed with 15 patients (19%, group A). Immuno-chemotherapy was administered to 24 patients (31%, B). Surgical extraction only was selected for 36 patients (46%, C). Watchful waiting was selected with three patients (4%). Recurrence after the initial treatment was found in one patient (7%) out of A, in three patients (13%) out of B, and in six patients (17%) out of C, respectively. Progression-free survivals at 5 and 10 years were 100 and 100% in A, 95 and 75% in B, and 88 and 81% in C, respectively. The recurrence rates between the patients who were diagnosed with only pathological decision (n = 24) and the patients who were diagnosed with molecular and immunological procedures (n = 54) did not show any statistical differences.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that radiotherapy-based treatment strategies for patients with POA-MALT lymphoma show a low rate of recurrence and may improve their prognosis even after the accurate diagnosis. However, contamination of the cases with reactive (polyclonal) lymphoid hyperplasia into those with MALT lymphoma should be carefully removed to avoid unnecessary treatment for malignancies that do not exist.

Comparison of Selection and Long-term Clinical Outcomes Between Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy as Primary Therapeutic Modality for Ocular Adnexal MALT Lymphoma

BACKGROUND

The choice of a primary treatment for ocular adnexal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (OAML) depends on the extent of tumor spread. However, radiotherapy is commonly used as a first-line therapy despite ophthalmic complications, because most OAMLs are in a limited stage of progression. However, the initial therapeutic modality, including chemotherapy and treatment of the advanced stage, has not been fully established for OAML. Therefore, we evaluated the optimal therapeutic options and survival outcome-related parameters for patients with primary OAML.

METHODS

We evaluated 208 consecutive patients with primary OAML who were diagnosed at the Catholic University Lymphoma Group between January 2004 and April 2015.

FINDINGS

During a median follow-up of 70.0 months (range, 3.2-182.0 months) in 208 patients with primary OAML, most patients were female and the median age was 46 years old. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) at 13 years were excellent (92.7% and 69.7%, respectively). Of the 117 patients who received the first-line radiotherapy, 92% achieved complete remission (CR), usually by being treated with less than 30 Gy. Radiation-related ophthalmic complications including dry eye syndrome (59%) and cataract (22%) caused a decline in the quality of life (QoL). Chemotherapy alone was used to treat 86 OAML patients, with 84.9% achieving CR and 12.8% achieving partial remission with tolerable toxicities. There were no differences in survival outcomes between patients treated with radiotherapy versus those treated with rituximab-containing chemotherapy, although the latter group had more advanced stages of OAML (OS, p = 0.057; PFS, p = 0.075).

INTERPRETATION

OAML patients were predominantly female and relatively young, and radiotherapy as a primary therapeutic option was more likely to lead to radiation-related complications, resulting in lower QoL. On the other hand, frontline chemotherapy showed consistent therapeutic outcomes with tolerable toxicities compared to radiotherapy, and there were no long-term or delayed adverse events. Therefore, when considering therapeutic efficacy and therapy-related QoL, chemotherapy is recommended for younger patients, and radiotherapy is recommended for older and chemotherapy-ineligible patients.

FUNDING

A National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korean government (MSIP) (No. NRF-2016R1A2B4007282).

The clinical features of radiation cataract in patients with ocular adnexal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma

BACKGROUND

To examine the clinical features of radiation cataract in patients with ocular adnexal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma.

METHODS

Twenty-one patients with 26 eyes diagnosed with ocular adnexal MALT lymphoma (26 eyes), who were treated in Hokkaido University Hospital, were retrospectively reviewed based on medical records.

RESULTS

Out of the 21 patients, 16 patients (21 eyes) received radiation therapy (RT) with a total dose of 30 Gy. All cases eventually achieved complete remission. Eight of these patients (11 eyes: 52.3%) required cataract surgery after RT. The mean age at surgery was 56.8 (40-70) years. The mean latency between RT and the indication for surgery was 43.3 months. The percentage of females was significantly higher in patients who required surgery (P < 0.01), compared with those without surgery. The eyes of patients who received bolus technique on radiation treatment developed cataract more frequently (P < 0.05). In contrast, none of the patients without RT required cataract surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with ocular adnexal MALT lymphoma who underwent surgery for radiation cataract were seen more often in relatively young, female patients, and surgery was required about 3 years after RT. A long-term observation may be needed for patients after RT for a tumor. A female sex and the bolus technique may be risk factors for radiation cataract.

Radiotherapy in the Management of Orbital Lymphoma: A Single Institution's Experience Over 4 Decades

PURPOSE

To report our institution's treatment techniques, disease outcomes, and complication rates after radiotherapy for the management of lymphoma involving the orbits.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 44 patients curatively treated with radiotherapy for stage IAE (75%) or stage IIAE (25%) orbital lymphoma between 1969 and 2013. Median follow-up was 4.9 years. Thirty-eight patients (86%) had low-grade lymphoma and 6 (14%) had high-grade lymphoma. Radiation was delivered with either a wedge-pair (61%), single-anterior (34%), or anterior with bilateral wedges (5%) technique. The median radiation dose was 25.5 Gy (range, 15 to 47.5 Gy). Lens shielding was performed when possible. Cause-specific survival and freedom from distant relapse were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

The 5-year local control rate was 98%. Control of disease in the orbit was achieved in all but 1 patient who developed an out-of-field recurrence after irradiation of a lacrimal tumor. The 5-year regional control rate was 91% (3 patients failed in the contralateral orbit and 1 patient failed in the ipsilateral parotid). Freedom from disease, cause-specific survival, and overall survival rates at 5 and 10 years were 70% and 55%, 89% and 89%, and 76% and 61%, respectively. Acute toxicity was minimal. Ten patients (23%) reported worsened vision following radiotherapy, and cataracts developed in 17 patients. Cataracts developed in 13 of 28 patients treated without lens shielding (46%) and 4 of 16 patients (25%) treated with lens shielding.

CONCLUSION

Radiotherapy is a safe and effective local treatment in the management of orbital lymphoma.

Extranodal Marginal Zone Lymphoma of Ocular Adnexa: Outcomes following Radiation Therapy

Aim

The aim of this study was to report outcomes following radiation therapy in patients with biopsy-proven extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of the ocular adnexa and uvea.

Methods

Records from a single institution were retrospectively reviewed from January 1997 to December 2015. The mean follow-up duration was 38 months (range 0-194). Radiation therapy was administered to 77 eyes (60 patients); 57 of the 77 eyes (74%) were treated with radiation only (range 20-36 Gy, median 15 fractions). Radiation cataract, radiation retinopathy, and optic neuropathy assessments were performed on all eyes treated with radiation.

Results

100% of the 47 patients treated with radiation therapy only had local control with an average dose of 26.5 Gy (median 25.2 [range 20-36] Gy; 150-200 cGy per fraction). Four patients lost 2 lines or more of vision after radiation. The most common complication of radiation therapy was cataract formation/progression in 19 eyes (25%). Radiation retinopathy was observed only in 1 patient (1%).

Conclusion

Our results confirm that radiation therapy (median 25 Gy) for extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of the ocular adnexa is associated with high local control and low risk of visually significant complications.

Infectious Aetiology of Marginal Zone Lymphoma and Role of Anti-Infective Therapy

Marginal zone lymphomas have been associated with several infectious agents covering both viral and bacterial pathogens and in some cases a clear aetiological role has been established. Pathogenetic mechanisms are currently not completely understood. However, the role of chronic stimulation of the host immune response with persistent lymphocyte activation represents the most convincing explanation for lymphoproliferation. Gastric MALT lymphoma is strictly associated with Helicobacter pylori infection and various eradicating protocols, developed due to increasing antibiotic resistance, represent the first line therapy for gastric MALT. The response rate to eradication is good with 80% of response at 1 year; this finding is also noteworthy because it recapitulates cancer cured only by the antibacterial approach and it satisfies the Koch postulates of causation, establishing a causative relationship between Hp and gastric MALT lymphoma. Patients with chronic HCV infection have 5 times higher risk to develop MZL, in particular, an association with splenic and nodal MZL has been shown in several studies. Moreover, there is evidence of lymphoma regression after antiviral therapy with interferon+ribavirin, thus raising hope that newly available drugs, extremely efficient against HCV replication, could improve outcome also in HCV-driven lymphomas. Another case-study are represented by those rare cases of MZL localized to orbital fat and eye conjunctivas that have been associated with Chlamydophila psittaci infection carried by birds. Efficacy of antibacterial therapy against C. psittaci are conflicting and generally poorer than gastric MALT. Finally, some case reports will cover the relationship between primary cutaneous B-cell Lymphomas and Borrelia Burgdorferi.

Outcomes of primary lymphoma of the ocular adnexa (orbital lymphoma) treated with radiotherapy

AIMS

Low-grade ocular adnexal lymphoma is a rare disease and often treated with local radiotherapy to varying doses. Most previously reported studies have a very heterogeneous patient population and treatments. We report the outcomes from a 10 year cohort of patients at our institution treated with primary radiation therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analysed a retrospective case series of patients with stage IE low-grade ocular adnexal lymphoma including a review of case notes, histological reports and radiotherapy charts. We assessed local and distant tumour control and relapse rates in addition to toxicity. Disease-free survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

In total, 81 patients and 85 orbits were treated with primary radiotherapy to a median dose of 30 Gy in 15 fractions over 3 weeks. Seventy-nine per cent were treated with standard MV external beam radiotherapy to the whole orbit and 21% with a lens-sparing technique. The median follow-up was 4.4 years (range 0.2-10.4). Local control rates were 100%, with 5% of patients experiencing disease relapse elsewhere. No patients died from lymphoma. Cumulative acute toxicity rates were 51% (mainly erythema and conjunctivitis) and late toxicity rates were 8% (mainly cataract). The lens-sparing technique was associated with a significant reduction in cataract rate (P = 0.013) and an increase in acute toxicity (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study has shown excellent local control rates and acceptable toxicity from the treatment of stage IE low-grade ocular adnexal lymphoma with localised radiotherapy to a median dose of 30 Gy in 15 fractions over 3 weeks.