A population-based study using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) database analyzed early mortality in patients with Angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma (AITL) between 2000 and 2021. Researchers defined early mortality as death within 24 months of diagnosis. The results showed that AITL has a high risk of early death, with mortality reaching 38.5% within the first year and 50.1% within two years. Among all deaths, about 67.5% occurred within this two-year period, and most were directly related to lymphoma.
The study identified several factors that significantly increased the risk of early death. Older age—especially patients aged 70 or above—was one of the strongest predictors. Men had a higher risk than women, and patients diagnosed with advanced disease stages had the worst outcomes. Socioeconomic and social factors also played a role, with lower household income and being divorced, separated, or widowed linked to poorer survival.
Researchers also found that treatment strategy can influence outcomes. While chemotherapy is commonly used, combining chemotherapy with radiotherapy improved survival in certain groups, particularly men, patients aged 40–69, and those with localized or regional disease. The findings suggest that early identification of high-risk patients and personalized treatment approaches may help reduce early mortality in this aggressive lymphoma.