Relative survival of patients with lymphoma in Queensland according to histological subtype

To evaluate relative survival of patients in Queensland with different lymphoma subtypes; to determine whether outcomes have improved with recent changes in treatment; to evaluate relative survival according to place of residence and socio-economic status.

Retrospective population-based study; analysis of data from the Oncology Analysis System, an online reporting tool for cancer incidence and outcomes in Queensland.

Patients over 15 years of age diagnosed with lymphoma in Queensland during 1993-2012.

Relative survival by lymphoma subtype; influence of place of residence and socio-economic status, age group, sex, year of diagnosis (in 5-year bands), and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme funding of rituximab for treating B-cell lymphomas on relative survival.

9509 people (56% men) were diagnosed with lymphoma during 1993-2012. Five-year relative survival improved significantly between 1993-1997 and 2008-2012 for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (47%; 95% CI, 42-51% v 64%; 95% CI, 61-67%) or follicular lymphoma (62%; 95% CI, 57-66% v 88%; 95% CI, 85-90%; each P < 0.001). Rituximab became available for treating these subtypes during 2003-2006. There was no change in relative survival for patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (81%; 95% CI, 76-85% v 80%; 95% CI, 75-84%; P = 0.22). The only statistically significant difference according to place of residence or socio-economic status was inferior relative survival for rural residents with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (hazard ratio, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.01-1.28).

Relative survival for patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma improved significantly with the introduction of rituximab as first-line therapy in Australia.