Objective  Increased D-dimer level has been recently correlated with the progression and high mortality rate of some cancers. This study aimed to determine whether the plasma D-dimer level was a predictor of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).

  Methods  Clinical data of 425 with NHL were retrospectively reviewed. Variables such as clinicopathological factors, plasma D-dimer levels, and the international prognostic index (IPI) were evaluated.

  Results  The plasma D-dimer level was closely correlated with the IPI. The overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of the low plasma D-dimer levels were 80%, 75%, and 50%; those for the high plasma D-dimer levels were 41%, 33%, and 9%, respectively (P < 0.001). Compared with an IPI of zero or one, IPI values ≥4 were predictive of poor prognosis (P < 0.001). The Ann Arbor stage, pathological classification, plasma D-dimer level, and IPI were found to be significantly associated with mortality. However, similar to IPI, the plasma D-dimer level was the independent risk factor affecting multivariate analysis.

  Conclusion  High D-dimer levels are a potential prognostic marker for NHL.