Premium
Clinical characteristics and early treatment outcomes of follicular lymphoma in young adults
Author(s) -
Gangatharan Shane A.,
Maganti Manjula,
Kuruvilla John G.,
Kukreti Vishal,
Tiedemann Rodger E.,
Gospodarowicz Mary K.,
Hodgson David C.,
Sun Alex,
Tsang Richard W.,
Pintilie Melania,
Crump Michael
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/bjh.13451
Subject(s) - medicine , follicular lymphoma , multivariate analysis , stage (stratigraphy) , international prognostic index , young adult , retrospective cohort study , lymphoma , surgery , b symptoms , pediatrics , rituximab , paleontology , biology
Summary Follicular lymphoma ( FL ) in young adults ( YA , <40 years old) is uncommon, and the clinical characteristics and outcomes of this group are not well defined. We conducted a retrospective database review of 427 patients with newly diagnosed FL aged 65 years or less registered at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre between 1995 and 2010. YA ( n = 61) and those 40–65 ( n = 366) were compared with regards to clinical stage at diagnosis, FL International Prognostic Index ( FLIPI ) score, and the following clinical outcomes: time to second treatment, cause‐specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS). At diagnosis, stage and FLIPI score were similar, as were the proportion of patients requiring therapy ( YA 75% versus older adults 71%). Median follow‐up was 8·1 years. Time to second therapy was similar in both age groups (5‐year probability 23% YA versus 27% older adults; Gray's P ‐value = 0·76). Ten‐year OS was significantly higher for YA (87% versus older adults 72%; P = 0·029). On multivariate analysis, age <40 years, low FLIPI score and observation as initial management were favourable prognostic factors for OS and CSS. We conclude that YA with FL have a favourable prognosis compared to older patients; whether this reflects competing mortality risks or age‐related differences in lymphoma biology warrants further investigation.