Comprehensive geriatric assessment is an essential tool to support treatment decisions in elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a prospective multicenter evaluation in 173 patients by the Lymphoma Italian Foundation (FIL). Issue 4 (April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tucci, Alessandra; Martelli, Maurizio; Rigacci, Luigi; Riccomagno, Paola; Cabras, Maria Giuseppina; Salvi, Flavia; Stelitano, Caterina; Fabbri, Alberto; Storti, Sergio; Fogazzi, Stefano; Mancuso, Salvatrice; Brugiatelli, Maura; Fama, Angelo; Paesano, Paolo; Puccini, Benedetta; Bottelli, Chiara; Dalceggio, Daniela; Bertagna, Francesco; Rossi, Giuseppe; Spina, Michele; for the Italian Lymphoma Foundation (FIL)
• Is Part Of: Leukemia & lymphoma. Volume 56:Issue 4(2015:Apr.)
• Page Start: 921
• Page End: 926
• Publication Date: 2015-04
• Subjects: Leukemia -- Periodicals; Lymphomas -- Periodicals; 616.99419
• DOI: 10.3109/10428194.2014.953142
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1042-8194

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p>We performed a multicenter study to validate the concept that a simple comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) can identify elderly, non-fit patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in whom curative treatment is not better then palliation, and to analyze potential benefits of treatment modulation after further subdividing the non-fit category by CGA criteria. One hundred and seventy-three patients aged &gt; 69 treated with curative or palliative intent by clinical judgement only were grouped according to CGA into fit (46%), unfit (16%) and frail (38%) categories. Two-year overall survival (OS) was significantly better in fit than in non-fit patients (84% vs. 47%; <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.0001). Survival in unfit and frail patients was not significantly different. Curative treatment slightly improved 2-year OS in unfit (75% vs. 45%) but not in frail patients (44% vs. 39%). CGA was confirmed as very efficient in identifying elderly patients with DLBCL who can benefit from a curative approach. Further efforts are needed to better tailor therapies in non-fit patients.</p> </abstract>