Castleman's disease and radiotherapy: a single center experience.

CONTEXT

The role of radiotherapy (RT) in the management of Castleman's disease (CD) is analyzed.

AIMS

The main goal of this study is to examine the efficiency of RT in the treatment of unresectable and recurrent CD.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Between 1980 and 2012, 11 CD patients referred and treated at our clinic were studied. Three of the patients were female, and eight of them were male. Four patients had multicentric (MC) and seven patients had unicentric CD. Five patients were managed with incisional biopsy and RT; three unicentric patients underwent total excision followed by RT, and three unicentric patients had total excision and chemotherapy. Patients were retrospectively evaluated. Median follow-up time was 36 (24-60) months with median age 41 (24-52) years and RT dose 30 (30-45) Gy.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

About 72.7% of patients were male, and 27.3% were female. 63.6% of the patients were unicentric, and 36.4% were MC CD. 54.5% of the patients were managed with total excision, and 45.5% underwent incisional biopsy. About 63.6% of CD patients received RT and 27.3% were given only chemotherapy, whereas one patient (9.09%) received both RT and chemotherapy. Three-year survival was 83%, and 3-year disease free survival was 91%. No late toxicity was noted with. Acute toxicity was noted in two patients who received 45 Gy and no late radiation-induced toxicity was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

RT is an effective treatment option for CD recurrences and sole treatment for unresectable CD.