Evaluating long-term outcomes for patients with nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma

This study evaluated the long-term outcomes of first-line treatment in patients with nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL). The authors concluded that survival among these patients was similar to that of the general population.

NLPHL is a rare type of Hodgkin lymphoma. When diagnosed, most patients have stage 1 or stage 2 disease. A variety of therapy approaches are used to treat these patients. Surgery, radiation, and rituximab (Rituxan) with or without chemotherapy are commonly used. Radiation therapy can also be combined with chemotherapy.

Most patients respond well to initial treatment. However, few studies have investigated the long-term outcomes of first-line treatment for NLPHL.

This study looked at the records of 687 patients with NLPHL. 74% of patients had stage 1 to 2 disease. Patients were followed for an average of 7.7 years. Data was collected over 24 years.

For patients with early-stage disease, radiation therapy was the most common treatment of choice. Significantly more patients with stage 1 disease received radiation therapy compared to patients with stage 2 disease (62% vs. 46%). 40% of patients with early-stage disease received chemotherapy with rituximab.

For patients with advanced (stage 3 to 4) disease, chemotherapy was the most common treatment of choice. 57% of patients received chemotherapy with rituximab. 9% of patients received radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy.

Overall, more patients with early-stage disease were still alive 10 years later compared to patients with advanced-stage disease (99% vs. 80%). Among patients who did not receive chemotherapy within 1 year of diagnosis, survival was much lower (80%, early vs. 57%, advanced).

The authors concluded that survival among patients with NLPHL was similar to that of the general population.

This study included patients in the Netherlands only, so these results may not apply to all patients. Also, this study used data from a registry, which may bias these results.