In a nutshell
This study looks at the outcomes for patients over 80 years old who have diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The study concluded that patients over 80 had significantly better outcomes when treated with rituximab and anthracycline-based chemotherapy, such as the R-CHOP treatment.
Some background
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. DLBCL is typically treated with the R-CHOP regimen (rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone). R-CHOP has been established as the standard of care for patients up to 80 years old. Patients older than 80 years also have other conditions or diseases (co-morbidities) that may make traditional chemotherapy not as effective or even potentially harmful.
More research is needed on the treatment of DLBCL patients over 80 years old.
Methods & findings
The medical records of 281 patients were reviewed. All patients were recently diagnosed with DLBCL. All patients were over 80 years of age. The average length of follow-up was 5.5 years.
The average overall survival time (time from treatment to death from any cause) for patients was 1.7 years. The 5-year overall survival rate was 31%.
Patients treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy (such as doxorubicin) had significantly better overall survival compared to other patients. Patients treated with both anthracycline chemotherapy and rituximab had even better overall survival. The 5-year overall survival rate for those patients was 46%.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that patients had better outcomes when treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy plus rituximab, such as R-CHOP.
What’s next?
Patients over 80 years old have many other issues with their health that may require a unique course of treatment. Talk with your doctor about the treatment options that are safest for you or your loved one.
Published By :
Hematological Oncology
Date :
Jun 16, 2017
