Total body irradiation as a primary therapy in non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Thirty-three patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma have been treated with total body irradiation (TBI). A very high remission rate is obtained in lymphocytic lymphomas (83%), but response in histiocytic lymphoma is extremely poor. Bone marrow study suggests that marrow depression following TBI is transient and complete recovery occurs provided the bone marrow is not already compromised by previous chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Extreme caution is required when TBI is repeated as this may lead to progressive marrow hypoplasia.