Kalaycio Matt, Pohlman Brad, Kuczkowski Elizabeth, Rybicki Lisa, Andresen Steve, Sobecks Ronald, Bolwell Brian
Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
Clin Transplant. 2006 Nov-Dec;20(6):783-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0012.2006.00581.x.
The non-relapse mortality of autologous stem cell transplant is low enough that the procedure has been extended to older patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. We treated 537 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients with high-dose chemotherapy consisting of busulfan, cyclophosphamide, and etoposide followed by autologous stem cell transplant. Sixteen patients were identified who died of pulmonary complications at a five-year incidence of 3.6%. Risk factors for pulmonary mortality included older age and lower baseline D(CO) and FEV1. We conclude that high-dose busulfan is associated with pulmonary mortality after autologous transplant, particularly in older patients.
