The impact of structural factors on diagnostic delay in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma

Abstract

Abstract Background Reducing diagnostic delays in cancer has been a major interest worldwide; however, the literature on diagnostic delays in lymphoma remains scarce. Diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma. We aimed to determine whether certain structural factors predicted diagnostic delays in DLBCL and whether diagnostic delays impacted overall survival (OS). Methods Data were extracted via a retrospective cohort design from a single academic tertiary care referral center. A total of 104 patients were included. Time from first symptoms to diagnosis of 6 months did predict worse OS. Conclusion Our data suggest that excessive diagnostic delays of more than 6 months, ethnic minority status, and uninsured status in DLBCL may lead to worse outcomes. Efforts should be undertaken to reduce excessive diagnostic delays. More investigation needs to be done on the impacts of diagnostic delays in both DLBCL and other aggressive lymphomas.

Keywords

• delayed diagnosis
• diffuse
• humans
• large B‐Cell
• lymphoma
• medically uninsured