Lymphoma patients at risk for reduced chemotherapy

Malignant lymphoma, including Hodgkin's disease and the non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs), afflicts more than 50,000 persons and results in almost 20,000 deaths annually in the United States. Unfortunately, the findings of a recent study indicated that 48% to 53% of patients with NHL receive a relative dose intensity (RDI) less than 85% of the minimum six-cycle and National Comprehensive Cancer Network guideline standards. Study investigators also found that the RDI of less than 85% was planned in 37.9% of patients.