In a nutshell
This study investigated the outcomes for adolescents and young adults with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). This study concluded that outcomes for these patients were comparable to those in adults older than age 40 with DLBCL.
Some background
DLBCL is the most common subtype of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) across all patients. However, DLBCL is relatively rare in adolescents and young adults compared to older patients. As a result, data about outcomes for these age groups are limited.
The outcomes of adolescents and young adults with NHL in comparison to adult patients remain under investigation.
Methods & findings
This study involved the records of 1426 patients with newly diagnosed NHL. 55.9% (798) of all patients had DLBCL. 6.7% of all patients were adolescents or young adults (age 16 – 39). Of these, 44% had DLBCL. Patients were followed-up for an average of 23.6 months.
The 2-year progression-free survival (patients still alive at 2 years without tumor growth or spread; PFS) was similar in younger patients compared to older patients of age 40-60 (61.9% vs. 65.3%). 2-year overall survival (patients still alive 2 years later; OS) was slightly higher in older patients (78.7%) compared to younger patients (68.5%).
Certain factors were associated with poorer outcomes. In adolescents and young adults, having stage 3 – 4 disease was associated with a 5.61-fold higher risk of mortality.
The bottom line
This study concluded that outcomes for adolescents and young adults with DLBCL were comparable to those in adult patients older than age 40.
The fine print
This study was retrospective, meaning it looked back in time to analyze data. Also, the number of younger patients in this study was limited. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.
Published By :
International journal of hematology
Date :
Aug 01, 2018
