Clinical characteristics of antitumor therapy complications in adolescents and young adults with lymphomas
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15574/SP.2026.1(153).9095Keywords:
Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, febrile neutropenia, hematologic toxicity, infectious complications, polychemotherapyAbstract
Analysis of the structure and incidence of complications depending on the lymphoma subtype is essential for optimizing supportive care and individualizing therapeutic approaches.
Aim - to analyze the incidence, structure, and characteristics of infectious and non-infectious (toxic) complications of antitumor therapy in patients with different types of lymphomas.
Materials and methods. The study included 120 patients aged 14-40 with various histological types of lymphoma who received polychemotherapy according to internationally accepted protocols. The cohort comprised patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (n=54), B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (n=36), T/T-NK-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (n=18), and lymphoblastic lymphomas (n=12). Complications were assessed throughout the entire period of active treatment. Non-infectious toxic complications were evaluated based on grade III–IV hematologic toxicity, gastrointestinal disorders, cardiotoxicity, and neurotoxicity.
Results. Infectious complications were registered in 37.5% of patients, with febrile neutropenia being the most common (20.8%). Its incidence was significantly higher in patients with T/T-NK-cell NHL and lymphoblastic lymphomas (33.3%) compared to Hodgkin lymphoma (13.0%) (p=0.015). Septic conditions occurred in 4.2% of cases. Non-infectious toxic complications were more frequent and varied according to lymphoma type: grade III-IV hematologic toxicity was observed in 32.5% of patients (up to 66.7% in lymphoblastic lymphomas; p=0.001), gastrointestinal disorders in 17.5%, cardiotoxicity in 10.0%, and neurotoxicity in 10.0%. The lowest complication rates were observed in Hodgkin lymphoma, while the highest were found in aggressive forms of NHL.
Conclusions. The incidence and structure of complications of antitumor therapy in lymphomas significantly depend on the histological subtype and treatment intensity. Patients with aggressive forms of NHL have a substantially higher risk of infectious and severe toxic complications, requiring enhanced monitoring, active prevention of febrile neutropenia, and individualized supportive care strategies.
The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed parental consent was obtained for participation in the study.
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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