Feasibility and results of a multimodality approach in elderly patients with localized intermediate to high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.
OBJECTIVE
A prospective clinical study to determine efficacy and feasibility of a brief course or standard course of anthracycline-based chemotherapy and consolidation radiation therapy in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients over 60 years of age.


METHODS
Twenty-five consecutive patients with stage I-IE intermediate to high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma aged 60 and older were treated in an outpatient setting in the Radiotherapy Oncology and Hematology units. All patients had a performance status of 0-1 according to WHO criteria. The survival end points, ie, overall survival, disease-free survival and event-free survival, were considered. Lactate dehydrogenase value, nodal versus extranodal localization and dose intensity were assessed as risk factors for disease-free and overall survival. A comparison using logrank analysis with a well-matched group of stage I-IE non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients aged less than 60 years was performed.


RESULTS
The 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 90% and 86%, respectively. There was no statistical difference with respect to the younger population regarding these survival end points. Finally, the 5-year event-free survival was 85% and 86% for elderly and younger patients, respectively, without statistical difference (P = 0.41). Neither acute nor late toxicity (G3-G4) was observed during chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment and the follow-up in the elderly group.


CONCLUSIONS
We confirm the efficacy and feasibility of a full-dose combined chemoradiotherapy in elderly patients with a good performance status with localized I-IE intermediate to high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Radiologia, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy. dsvita@libero.it
Vitaliana
V
De Sanctis
Maurizio
M
Martelli
Mattia F
MF
Osti
Vittorio
V
Donato
Lavinia
L
Grapulin
Stefania
S
Monello
Filippo
F
De Renzi
Franco
F
Mandelli
Riccardo Maurizi
RM
Enrici
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018943:Anthracyclines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D018943:Anthracyclines; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D001761:Bleomycin; D014750:Vincristine; D005047:Etoposide; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011241:Prednisone