[Prognostic factors in elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and their treatment results.]

Abstract

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Treatment of elderly patients with NHL has always been a challenge; however, treatment statistics have begun to show favorable results similar to those of younger patients with DLBCL, thanks to new treatment protocols. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of prognostic factors on survival and efficacy of therapy in elderly patients with DLBCL in the Republic of Crimea. This study included 87 patients diagnosed with DLBCL who were treated in the Department of Hematology and Chemotherapy of the N.A. Semashko Republican Clinical Hospital from 2008 to 2024. The mean age was 72 (65-89) years, and 13 (14,9%) patients were over 80 years old. The median follow-up time was 42 months, and 45 patients (51,7%) died during the follow-up period. The median overall survival (OS) was 55 months, and the median progression-free survival was calculated as 27 months. Sixty-three patients (72,4%) received standard therapy R-CHOP. Complete response was achieved in 46 patients (52,9%). The median survival for patients with complete response was 136 months (p<0,001); however, OS was not statistically different between elderly (>80 years) and young patients (p=0,236). According to our results, we believe that the opportunity to undergo standard therapy R-CHOP is vital for the survival of elderly patients with DLBCL.