Treatment complications and long-term outcomes of total body irradiation in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a single institute experience

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate treatment-related toxicity and clinical outcomes of total body irradiation (TBI) in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of all patients with ALL who underwent TBI-based conditioning regimen at our Institution between 2000 and 2012. RESULTS: A total of 211 patients were included. The median follow-up was 40 months. The 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival were 64.7% and 62.8%, respectively. The 5-year overall survival rate for the 163 children was 67.6% (95% confidence interval=55-77%). Disease status at time of transplant did not improve disease-free survival. Gastrointestinal acute toxicity was the most common early side-effect (19.9%). Acute graft-versus-host disease was reported in 31 patients (14.7%). Main late toxicities were cataract induction (12.8%) and growth, gonadal and endocrine effects (36%). CONCLUSION: TBI-based conditioning regimen led to a high survival rate with remarkably low radiation-related toxicity, suggesting that TBI provides a feasible therapeutic option in patients with ALL.