Febrile neutropenia risk factors in actively treated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients

BACKGROUND: Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a serious problem, especially in hematologic malignancies, and can cause high mortality rates and it occurs in 10%-20% of patients with lymphoma. The aim of this research is to assess the risk factors for FN, and the impact of FN on overall survival (OS) in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 263 patients who were diagnosed with DLBCL and treated with mostly R-CHOP-based chemotherapy. Data including gender, age, Ann Arbor stage, International Prognostic Index (IPI) score, immunohistologic subtype, treatment regimens, response to treatment, and any FN episode were recorded. The factors predicting FN were analyzed. RESULTS: Significant predictors of FN were the number of chemotherapy lines received and IPI score. The median OS was significantly different between DLBCL patients who had at least one FN episode during the first-line chemotherapy and those who did not (P < 0,001). Significant predictors of OS in the multivariate analysis were the number of chemotherapy lines received, stage, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, and disease status. CONCLUSION: Our study reveals that OS is significantly shorter in patients who had an FN episode than those who did not. Therefore, it is crucial to demonstrate all factors related to FN to prevent FN episodes. In our study, the number of chemotherapy lines received and IPI score was found to be significant predictors of FN. Close follow-up should be done in these patients as the risk of FN is higher.