How are survivors 1 year after the diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: A quality of life study

The authors investigated the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) 1 year after the diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

The study found that HRQoL is affected differently in women and men survivors of DLBCL 1 year after diagnosis and that aspects of HRQoL need to be addressed and managed in these patients. 

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is cancer of the lymphatic system. DLBCL is the most common type of NHL. Many patients achieve remission (signs and symptoms of cancer are reduced) with chemoimmunotherapy (CIT). However, up to 50% of patients relapse (cancer returns) or have refractory (not responding to treatment) cancer.

HRQoL is an individual’s or a group’s perceived physical and mental health over time, including physical, emotional, social, and cognitive functions, disease symptoms, and side effects of treatment. Differences in certain aspects of quality of life due to gender, the presence of other diseases, or linked to treatments remain unexplored in patients with DLBCL.

57 patients with DLBCL participated in this study. HRQoL was assessed for an average of 12 months, through 5 quality of life-based patient questionnaires.

Women were more prone to lower posttraumatic growth (involved appreciation of life, personal strength, and new possibilities) and lower physical functioning than men.  

Patients with other diseases had more experiences of physical tiredness and cancer symptoms. These patients reported an impact on their physical and mental health and experienced depression.

More cycles of chemotherapy increased the level of symptoms in patients (pain, damage to neurons, and difficulty breathing).

The authors concluded that differences in the HRQoL between women and men survivors of DLBCL exist 1 year after diagnosis and that women are more affected than men. Other factors impact the quality of life physically, mentally, or emotionally. The authors suggest that these factors should be addressed and appropriate psychosocial and supportive measures should be taken. 

This study looked at the quality of life at a single point in time, an average of 12 months after diagnosis of NHL. This study reported on questionnaires answered by a small group of patients.