Dr Konstantinos Christofyllakis speaks to ecancer about an individual patient data meta-analysis of two phase III dshnhl/GLA trials.

He reviews this meta-analysis evaluating outcomes in patients with stage I large B-cell lymphoma treated with rituximab-based chemotherapy, with a focus on extranodal disease and the role of radiotherapy.

The analysis found that extranodal involvement did not lead to worse survival compared with nodal disease in the modern treatment era.

Additionally, the use of consolidative radiotherapy did not significantly improve overall or progression-free survival for most patients, suggesting it may not be routinely necessary.

However, certain subgroups, including patients with soft tissue or testicular involvement, showed signals of poorer outcomes, highlighting the need for more tailored treatment strategies.

These findings support a more individualised approach and raise important questions about the routine use of radiotherapy in early-stage disease.