Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: experience from a tertiary care center in North India.
Limited information is available from developing countries regarding clinico-pathological presentation of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We undertook a retrospective case record study to determine the clinico-laboratory characteristics, treatment outcomes, and prognostic factors for DLBCL and additionally analyzed percentage distribution and patient characteristics for other major subtypes of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). DLBCL, constituting 59.3% of all NHL cases, was the predominant subtype. For DLBCL, males:females ratio was 2.7:1 and the median age at presentation was 47 years. Lymphadenopathy was present in 57% patients and B symptoms in 56.7%. A total of 49.3% of patients had Ann Arbor Stage IV disease. Significant differences were observed between favorable (international prognostic index [IPI]-0, 1, and 2) and unfavorable prognosis groups (IPI-3, 4, and 5) with regards to mean hemoglobin levels (P < 0.005), platelet counts (P < 0.05), serum albumin levels (P < 0.05), and erythrocyte sedimentation rates (P < 0.005), thereby suggesting their role as prognostic markers in our population. The median event free survival was 32 months (95% CI: 0-92 months) and the median overall survival was 47 months (95% CI: 3-100 months). Among total NHL, the earlier age of onset, male dominant sex ratio, and higher frequency of B symptoms sets apart NHL in Indian population from that in the developed countries.
Khera
Rohan
R
Department of Medical Oncology, Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India. access.rohan@gmail.com
Jain
Snigdha
S
Kumar
Lalit
L
Thulkar
S
S
Vijayraghwan
M
M
Dawar
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D024221:Antineoplastic Protocols; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities / Q000639:trends; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate / Q000639:trends; D055512:Tertiary Prevention; D055815:Young Adult