The distribution of non-Burkitt; non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in Uganda in relation to malarial endemicity

ABSTRACT

Biopsies of malignant lymphomas collected from all districts of Uganda; filed in the Kampala Cancer Registry for the 8-year period 1966-1973; were reviewed. This review confirmed a relatively low frequency of follicle-centre-cell lymphomas with a follicular growth pattern and the geographical co-distribution between malaria and Burkitt's lymphoma (BL). It also showed a similar; though less marked; association between non-Burkitt; non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NBNHL) and malarial endemicity; and a correlation in the regional incidence between BL and NBNHL. In both comparisons; these associations were strong for high-grade lymphomas and weak for low-grade neoplasms. BL and other NHL may therefore share; to a varying degree; some common pathogenesis. The excess in frequency of NBNHL of high-grade malignancy in malarial endemic areas appears to be in contrast to Western countries where most non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are of low-grade malignancy