ABSTRACT
Although it is generally regarded appropriate to start chemotherapy promptly after a diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the optimal time from diagnosis to treatment (TDT) is unknown. A total of 689 patients diagnosed with DLBCL and treated with ≥ 1 cycle of CHOP-R with curative intent during 2003-2008 in British Columbia were identified: 347 (50%) TDT ≤ 4 weeks, 277 (40%) TDT 5-8 weeks, 65 (10%) TDT > 8 weeks. For the respective TDT groups, 5-year OS estimates were 61%, 74%, 63% (p = 0.006); 5-year PFS 57%, 70%, 61% (p = 0.006); and 5-year DSS 64%, 80%, 77% (p <0.001). In multivariate analysis, TDT >8 weeks was associated with worse OS (HR 1.20 (95% CI 1.03, 1.41), p = 0.020), PFS (HR 1.33 (95% CI 1.15, 1.54), p < 0.001), and DSS (HR 1.40 (95% CI 1.10, 1.78), p = 0.006). Clinicians should endeavor to initiate curative chemotherapy as soon as possible after a diagnosis of DLBCL is established.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: We examined the relationship between location of residence at the time of diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and health outcomes in a geographically large Canadian province with publicly funded, universally available medical care. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The British Columbia Cancer Registry was used to identify all patients 18-80 years of age diagnosed with DLBCL between January 2003 and December 2008. Home and treatment center postal codes were used to determine urban versus rural status and driving distance to access treatment. RESULTS: We identified 1,357 patients. The median age was 64 years (range: 18-80 years), 59% were male, 50% were stage III/IV, 84% received chemotherapy with curative intent, and 32% received radiotherapy. There were 186 (14%) who resided in rural areas, 141 (10%) in small urban areas, 183 (14%) in medium urban areas, and 847 (62%) in large urban areas. Patient and treatment characteristics were similar regardless of location. Five-year overall survival (OS) was 62% for patients in rural areas, 44% in small urban areas, 53% in medium urban areas, and 60% in large urban areas (p = .018). In multivariate analysis, there was no difference in OS between rural and large urban area patients (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.0; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.7-1.4), although patients in small urban areas (HR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.0-2.0) and medium urban areas (HR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.0-1.9) had worse OS than those in large urban areas. CONCLUSION: Place of residence at diagnosis is associated with survival of patients with DLBCL in British Columbia, Canada. Rural patients have similar survival to those in large urban areas, whereas patients living in small and medium urban areas experience worse outcomes.
