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Severe Treatment-Related Lymphopenia in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Rectal Cancer
Jian L Campian1,2, Xiaobu Ye2, Guneet Sarai3
1a Departments of Medicine, Oncology Division , Washington University in St Louis , St Louis , Missouri , USA.
Background:
Although treatment-related lymphopenia (TRL) is common in many cancers no data exists in rectal cancer.
Methods:
Serial lymphocyte counts were analyzed retrospectively in patients with newly diagnosed rectal cancer, serial blood counts, and complete records at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Results:
Fifty-seven patients with normal pretreatment lymphocyte counts were studied. Two months after beginning chemoradiation, 35% of these patients developed grade III-IV lymphopenia [median lymphocyte counts fell from 1590 to 490 cell/mm3 (p < 0.001)] which persisted throughout one year of observation.
Conclusion:
Severe and prolonged TRL is common in rectal cancer. Further studies are required to determine TRL's relationship to survival.
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