Identification of baseline parameters that predict chemotherapy related morbidities in elderly lymphoma patients can help in tailoring treatment. However, there is a paucity of tools to predict the risk of chemotherapy related toxicity in elderly lymphoma patients from India. We retrospectively analyzed 203 lymphoma patients more than 60 years of age for predictors of grade III or higher haematological and non-haematological toxicity due to chemotherapy. Eighty-five (42%) and seventy-one (35%) lymphoma patients developed grade III or IV haematological and non-haematological toxicities respectively. On multivariate analysis baseline absolute lymphocyte counts (ALC) less than 1300/µl, chemotherapy with anthracyclines and presence of two co-morbid conditions were significant in predicting serious haematological toxicities. For non-haematological toxicities baseline ALT levels more than 40 U/l was the only significant factor. This is the first report from India on the study of factors predicting serious chemotherapy related adverse effects in elderly lymphoma patients. Patients with low ALC, elevated ALT, multiple co-morbidities and receiving anthracyclines should be closely monitored for chemotherapy related toxicities.
Keywords: Chemotherapy; Geriatrics; Lymphoma; Toxicity.