Abstract
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.
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Khera, R., Jain, S., Kumar, L. et al. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: experience from a tertiary care center in north India. Med Oncol 27, 310–318 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12032-009-9211-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12032-009-9211-2