title: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in elderly patients: a retrospective analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Few data on patterns of care and outcomes are available for elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) outside of clinical trials.
  
  
  METHODS
  We identified patients with DLBCL older than 60 years from a regional cancer registry between 2000 and 2010. Based on registry data and chart review, 128 patients from the oncology network of Eastern Switzerland were analysed for patient characteristics, treatment and outcomes of DLBCL. Three age groups were compared: 60-69, 70-79 and over 80 years old.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median age was 73 years (range: 60 to 95 years). 52/121 treated patients received 6 cycles of R-CHOP/CHOP, of those 30 (58%), 18 (35%) and 4 (7%) patients were 60-69 years, 70-79 years or older than 80 years respectively, with a significant difference by age group, p=0.001. Median OS of patients 60-69, 70-79, and 80 years and older receiving 6 cycles of R-CHOP/CHOP were: 54 months, 31 months and 24 months respectively. In comparison, patients receiving other than 6 cycles of R-CHOP/CHOP treatment regimens had a median OS of 22 months, 17 months and 6 months, respectively. In the multivariable analysis other than 6 cycles of R-CHOP/CHOP were significantly associated with poor survival. The risk of dying increased by a mean of 6% for each year of age from age 60 years onwards.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, treatment regimens other than 6 cycles of R-CHOP/CHOP were significant predictors for survival in our oncology network. The possibility of using R-CHOP treatment regimen should be seriously considered in elderly patients with DLBCL.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology and Hematology, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, Rorschacherstrasse 95, 9007 St. Gallen, Switzerland. Electronic address: stefan.diem@kssg.ch.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Diem
authors.affiliation: Swiss Cancer League, Flurhofstrasse 7, 9000 St. Gallen, Switzerland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ess
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology and Hematology, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, Rorschacherstrasse 95, 9007 St. Gallen, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Th
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cerny
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology and Hematology, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, Rorschacherstrasse 95, 9007 St. Gallen, Switzerland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Früh
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology and Hematology, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, Rorschacherstrasse 95, 9007 St. Gallen, Switzerland.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hitz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011379:Prognosis; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000069283:Rituximab; D013557:Switzerland; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; C571759:R-CHOP protocol; D000069283:Rituximab; D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011241:Prednisone
keywords: DLBCL; Elderly; R-CHOP