Increased risk of myelotoxicity in elderly patients with non-hodgkin lymphoma - The case for routine prophylaxis with colony-stimulating factor beginning in the first cycle of chemotherapy

Neutropenia is the major dose-limiting toxicity of myelosuppressive chemotherapy in patients with cancer. Because of the high incidence of neutropenic complications and death in the early cycles of chemotherapy and the potential for improved outcomes, prophylaxis with colony-stimulating factor beginning in the first cycle should be routinely considered in elderly patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma who are treated with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) or CHOP-like chemotherapy regimens.