Clinical characteristics and early treatment outcomes of follicular lymphoma in young adults. (22nd April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: 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
• Is Part Of: British journal of haematology. Volume 170:Number 3(2015:Aug.)
• Page Start: 384
• Page End: 390
• Publication Date: 2015-04-22
• Subjects: Hematology -- Periodicals; Blood -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.15
• DOI: 10.1111/bjh.13451
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1048

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="bjh13451-abs-0001"> <title>Summary</title> <p>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 (<italic>n</italic> = 61) and those 40–65 (<italic>n</italic> = 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% <italic>versus</italic> 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 <italic>versus</italic> 27% older adults; Gray's <italic>P</italic>‐value = 0·76). Ten‐year OS was significantly higher for YA (87% <italic>versus</italic> older adults 72%; <italic>P</italic> = 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.</p> </abstract>