The Use of Chemotherapy and Growth Factors in Older Patients with Newly Diagnosed, Advanced Stage, Aggressive Histology Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Patient Population

Patients older than age 60 who have newly diagnosed, advanced-stage, aggressive histology non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of less than 4 and no significant comorbid illnesses.

Intended Guideline Users

Hematologists and oncologists treating patients older than age 60 who have newly diagnosed, advanced-stage, aggressive histology non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Research Question(s)

1. What treatment provides the optimum disease control and survival in older patients (at least 60 years of age) with newly diagnosed, advanced-stage, aggressive histology lymphoma?
2. What are the toxicities associated with these treatments?
3. What are the roles of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor or granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor in combination with chemotherapy in these patients?