Consolidation radiotherapy was linked with improved overall survival in older people with early-stage diffuse large B-cell lymphoma receiving chemoimmunotherapy, according to a study involving more than 2,200 individuals.

Using data covering a 14-year period ending in 2012, investigators looked at the link between radiotherapy and overall survival in participants >60 years of age who received chemoimmunotherapy either with or without radiotherapy. Among the results:

• Patients with lower clinical stage, head/neck involved site, lack of “B” symptoms, lower co-morbidity score, and higher socioeconomic status tended to receive consolidation radiotherapy.

• Among ~1,700 patients evaluated for survival outcomes between 1998 and 2008, the 5-year overall survival rate was 80% for patients receiving radiotherapy, vs 70% for those not receiving such.

• After adjusting for certain covariates, odds of survival in those receiving radiotherapy were better than those who had chemoimmunotherapy alone.

• Use of radiotherapy decreased 10 percentage points to 29% over the period observed.

Citation: Parikh R, Yahalom J. Older patients with early-stage diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: The role of consolidation radiotherapy after chemoimmunotherapy. [Published online ahead of print August 9, 2016]. Leuk Lymphoma. doi:10.1080/10428194.2016.1205739.