Soukayna Bouazzaoui, Yousra Berhili, Eddou Hicham
Journal: Medpeer Publisher
ISSN: 3066-2737
Volume: 3
Issue: 9
Date of Publication: 2026/09/06
Abstract
The abscopal effect refers to the regression of tumor lesions outside the irradiated field following localized radiotherapy and is thought to be mediated by systemic immune activation. Although increasingly reported in solid tumors, it remains rarely described in aggressive lymphomas. We report the case of a 72-year-old man diagnosed with advanced-stage diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). After achieving complete metabolic remission following first-line immunochemotherapy with R-mini-CHOP followed by R-CHOP, the patient experienced early systemic relapse with widespread cutaneous and subcutaneous lesions. Multiple salvage therapies, including R-GemOx, R-DHAOx, and lenalidomide plus rituximab, resulted in only transient responses with rapid disease progression. During this period, the patient developed right-sided ptosis, and imaging revealed an intra-orbital lymphomatous mass. Localized orbital radiotherapy was administered with palliative intent. Following irradiation, rapid regression of orbital symptoms was observed. Unexpectedly, a simultaneous and significant regression of diffuse cutaneous and subcutaneous lesions located outside the irradiated field also occurred, suggesting an abscopal effect. This case highlights the potential systemic immunomodulatory role of radiotherapy in lymphoma and underscores the need for further research exploring its therapeutic implications in relapsed or refractory DLBCL.
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma , refractory lymphoma , Abscopal effect , Radiotherapy , Cutaneous involvement
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