PURPOSE: Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) is a rare subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Radiation therapy (RT) has served as the primary treatment option for PMBCL; however, its role has been questioned with the advent of intensified immunochemotherapy. This study aimed to investigate the role of consolidative RT in the primary treatment of PMBCL.

METHODS: This single-center retrospective study analyzed the survival outcomes of 65 patients newly diagnosed with PMBCL. The patients were divided into three treatment groups: (1) EPOCH-R (etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and rituximab), (2) R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone), and (3) R-CHOP with consolidative RT.

RESULTS: The objective response and complete remission rates were 86.2% and 63.1%, respectively, with 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates of 72% and 81%, respectively. All patients in the R-CHOP + RT group achieved an objective response with better PFS) than those who did not receive consolidative RT (p = 0.028), although there was no significant difference in OS (p = 0.102). Consolidative RT benefited patients with an initially bulky disease or insufficient end-of-treatment response. The predictive value of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) in assessing the treatment response in PMBCL was revalidated, showing that patients who achieved negative end-of-treatment PET-CT had significantly better survival outcomes than others.

CONCLUSIONS: R-CHOP is a useful alternative regimen when intensified chemotherapy is not feasible. Consolidative RT should be considered in cases with an initially bulky disease and insufficient end-of-treatment response.