Dr Prapul Kumar Mandari MBBS, DNB, PDCR Consultant Radiation Oncologist

Lymphomas are cancers originating in the lymphatic system, a crucial component of the body's immune defense. They are broadly categorized into two main types:





  1. Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL): Characterized by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells, HL is known for its predictable spread and high curability.




  2. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL): A diverse group of lymphatic cancers, NHL varies in behavior, treatment response, and prognosis.




Role of Radiation Therapy in Lymphoma Treatment


Radiation therapy employs high-energy beams to target and destroy cancer cells. In lymphoma management, its application depends on the specific type, stage, and individual patient factors:





  • Early-Stage Hodgkin Lymphoma: Radiation therapy is often combined with chemotherapy to enhance treatment efficacy.




  • Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: For certain localized forms, radiation therapy may be the primary treatment. In advanced stages, it serves a palliative role to alleviate symptoms.




Advanced Radiation Techniques


Modern radiation therapy has evolved to maximize tumor control while minimizing exposure to healthy tissues:





  • Total Skin Electron Therapy (TSET): This specialized technique is primarily used to treat Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL) and mycosis fungoides. In TSET, low-energy electrons are used to target and destroy cancer cells in the skin. Sensitive areas such as the eyes, nails, lips, ears, feet, and hands are protected during treatment to prevent side effects. Treatments are typically administered three to four days a week over a period of approximately three to nine weeks.





  • Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT): An advanced form of conformal radiotherapy that utilizes computer-controlled linear accelerators to deliver precise radiation doses directly to a tumor. It provides optimal protection for healthy tissue by focusing radiation beams on the most aggressive tumor cells. This method divides the treatment field into multiple segments, using various beam angles and thousands of segments to target the tumor accurately.




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