Malignant lymphomas in the elderly

Clin Geriatr Med. 1997 May;13(2):251-63.

Abstract

More than half of all lymphomas occur in patients aged 60 years or older. This article reviews the management of low-grade and aggressive histology lymphomas in patients older than age 65. Cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) chemotherapy is well tolerated in patients who have a good performance status and who have aggressive histology lymphoma, but briefer 8-week regimens appear to offer similar benefits more quickly. Age alone is an adverse prognostic factor for lymphomas, but when possible, patients should be offered effective treatment tailored for their age performance status and intercurrent diseases.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Doxorubicin / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Hodgkin Disease / therapy
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma / classification
  • Lymphoma / drug therapy*
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Prognosis
  • Vincristine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Vincristine
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Prednisone