Prognostic factors in large-cell lymphomas

Abstract

A review of the most significant prognostic factors found in large cell lymphomas is presented. Prognostic factors are divided in four categories: (a) those related to the patient: age at diagnosis; (b) those related to the tumor: stage, tumor bulk, spreading of tumor, extranodal sites, LDH and beta 2-microglobulin levels; (c) those related to the host-tumor relationship: performance status, presence of B symptoms, serum albumin level, and interleukin secretion; and (d) those related to the physicians: type of treatment, dose intensity of this treatment. Most of these parameters are related to each others and only a few of them keep statistically significant correlation with outcome in multiparametric studies. New prospective studies with new therapeutic strategies should stratify patients before treatment on these most important prognostic factors.