Background: Peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified (PTCL-US) is one of the entities from the infrequent family of nodal mature T-cell lymphomas. The clinical course is aggressive, and despite multiagent chemotherapy, the median survival is about 2 years. Published data are limited to retrospective, mostly single-center studies or reviews and usually include more lymphoma subtypes.
Aim: To evaluate the current treatment modalities, clinical outcome and prognostic factors in unselected, new diagnosed patients with PTCL-US in the population of the central european region (Czech Republic).
Method: Czech Lymphoma Study Group is a national scientific organization which provides an on-line database registry which collects a data about almost all new diagnosed lymphoma patients since year 2000. All diagnostic biopsies were reviewed by a reference pathologist.
Results: We analyzed 63 patients with new diagnosis of PTCL-US. The median age was 59 years (25-81), chemotherapy (CHT) was administered in 56 of the 63 patients: anthracyclin-based CHT in 51%, intensive CHT in 21% and non-anthracyclin regimen was applied in 13% of the patients. The overall response rate was 74.4%, (CR in 57.4%). After a median follow-up of 19.6 months, 41% of the patients were in CR, 3.4% in PR or stable disease and 55% of the patients died. The estimated survival probability in 3 years was 36%. Clinical stage (IV) and CR achievement were found to be independent survival predictors in a multivariate analysis.
Conclusions: Although the current treatment modalities are mostly ineffective in PTCL-US, appropriate intensive treatment may lead to prolonged remission but not survival.