Survival outcomes for patients with stage I follicular lymphoma

This study looked at the outcomes for patients with stage I follicular lymphoma who had their tumors completely removed. The authors concluded that a total resection does not significantly improve patient outcomes after they have received other treatments.

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is a type of slow growing non-Hodgkin lymphoma. There are many treatment strategies for patients with early stage FL. Some treatment options include a watch and wait strategy, radiation, radiation plus chemotherapy, and rituximab treatment. Another strategy is a total removal of the tumor, known as a total resection. Patient outcomes after this procedure are not well studied. More research is needed to determine if total resection improves patient survival rates.

The medical records of 36 patients were reviewed. All patients had stage I follicular lymphoma confirmed by a tissue sample. 18 patients had a total resection procedure to completely remove the tumor. 18 patients had residual tumors and could not have their tumors removed with surgery. The average length of follow up is 62.4 months.

In the total resection group, 38.9% of patients also had a watch and wait strategy. 38.9% of resection patients also had radiation therapy. 22.2% of resection patients also had chemotherapy or rituximab. In the residual tumor group, 50% of patients had radiation therapy and 50% of patients had chemotherapy or rituximab.

The 5-year progression free survival rate (PFS; time from treatment to disease progression) for all patients was 73.1%. The 5-year PFS rate for patients who had their tumors completely removed was 77.8%. The 5-year PFS rate for patients with residual tumors was 67.3%. The difference was not statistically significant.

5 patients in the resected tumor group experienced a relapse. All relapses were distant from the site of the original tumor. 6 patients in the residual tumor group experienced a relapse.

The study concluded that a total resection did not significantly improve survival for patients for stage I follicular lymphoma who have also been treated with other therapies.