Comorbidities in patients with lymphoma and their impact on clinical outcomes: A narrative review

Lymphomas are a heterogeneous group of malignant neoplasms. Therapeutic advances have improved survival, although significant interindividual variability persists, influenced not only by the tumor but also by patient characteristics such as comorbidities. Comorbidity is defined as the presence of concomitant chronic organic diseases and organ dysfunction, which can influence diagnosis, treatment adherence, and therapeutic choices. Several indices used to evaluate comorbidities have been reviewed, although inconsistent results have been noted due to differences in methodology and study populations. This narrative review aims to synthesize the current evidence regarding methods for assessing comorbidity, the prevalence and most common types of comorbid conditions among patients with lymphoma, and their associations with survival. A comprehensive bibliographic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library to identify cohort studies, clinical trials, and systematic reviews. The search included articles published in English and Spanish between January 2015 and November 2025. Of the 854 articles identified in the preliminary search, 36 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this narrative review. Studies demonstrating an independent and clinically relevant association between comorbidities and treatment response, as well as overall survival (OS), were included. A systematic assessment of comorbidities should be considered an essential component of clinical practice and in the design of future studies. Such assessments aim to advance personalized, patient-centered oncology.