Prognostic significance of absolute lymphocyte count in the diagno-sis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma / 中国肿瘤临床

ABSTRACT

Objective: We investigated the clinical significance and prognostic value of peripheral blood absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) in the diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Methods:The medical records of 143 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma were reviewed. These patients were diagnosed and underwent surgery in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, China, between February 2002 and April 2008. The correlation between different ALC levels and clinical features was statisti-cally analyzed. Results:Patients with low ALC (<1.0×109/L) at diagnosis showed B symptoms, an international prognostic index score of ≥2, advanced clinical stage (Ann Arbor III/IV), high lactate dehydrogenase level, and high β2-microglobulin level (P<0.05). Pa-tients with high ALC (≥1.0 × 109/L) responded well to treatment (P=0.003). In multivariate analysis, Ann Arbor stage and ALC level were independent prognostic factors of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Patients with low ALC often exhibited advanced clinical stage (Ann ArborⅢ/Ⅳ). Conclusions:ALC level obtained at diagnosis is a novel, powerful prognostic factor of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.