Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Abstract

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common lymphoma subtype, accounting for 30–40% of lymphoma diagnoses. Although aggressive, cure is achievable in approximately 60% of cases with primary chemoimmunotherapy, and in a further substantial minority by salvage therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation. Despite promising activity in early phase clinical trials, no intensified or novel treatment regimen has improved outcomes over R-CHOP21 in randomised studies. However, there remain several areas of controversy including the most appropriate prognostic markers, central nervous system prophylaxis and the optimal treatment for patients with high-risk disease. This position statement presents an evidence-based synthesis of the literature for application in Australasian practice.