Indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma primarily involving the hard palate: outcome following radiotherapy.

The aim of this study was to report the clinical and pathological characteristics, treatment strategies and outcome in patients with indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) primarily involving the hard palate. Nine consecutive patients with indolent NHL of the hard palate were identified. The palate was a site of initial disease for six patients (four stage IAE and two stage IIIAE) and of relapse for three. There were four cases of grade 1-2 follicular lymphoma (FL), two of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and three of marginal zone lymphoma (MZL). All nine patients received involved site radiation therapy (RT) alone. There was no grade ≥ 3 toxicity. At a median follow-up of 55 months, 5-year freedom from local progression was 100%, disease-free survival was 38% and overall survival was 80%. In conclusion, involved site RT is well tolerated and provides excellent local control in the management of indolent lymphoma of the hard palate.