ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical and histopathologic distribution of various types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma [NHL] at King Abdulaziz University Hospital-Jeddah, using the World Health Organization classification [WHO] of lymphoid neoplasms and to compare our results with those reported in the literature. A hundred and nine patients with malignant NHL diagnosed over a 10-year period from January 1994 through 2004 were retrospectively studied clinically and histopathologically. They were classified using the WHO classification, and recorded in a structured form. Of the 109 patients with NHL, 42 [47.2%] were Saudi and 67 [75.3%] were Non-Saudi, with male to female ratio of 1.72:1. The mean age of the patients was 48 years, age range [12-93 years]. Immunologically, the percentage of NHL with B-cell and T-cell phenotype were 88 [80.7%] and 21 [19.3%] respectively. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was the most frequent histopathological diagnosis 50 [45.9%] followed by follicular lymphoma 11 [10.1%] and B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma was the third most common histopathological subtype of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma 8 [7.3%]. Lymphoblastic T-cell was the predominant subtype among the T-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma 10 [9.2%]. The proportion of primary extranodal NHL was 20[18.3%] with the gastrointestinal tract being the commonest site in 12 of the cases. Prevalence of advanced clinical stages of the disease 58 [53.2%] were recognized. B symptoms were reported from 68[62.4%] of nodal, 11[10.1%] of extranodal NHL patients. The distribution of various types of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma showed clinical and histopathological similarities and differences when compared using the WHO classifications with other Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma series from the region, Asian countries or the West. The age group [40-60] years seen commonly with nodal NHL while [50-80] years [older age group] present with extranodal NHL. Diffuse large B cell lymphoma represents the most common histologic subtype followed by follicular lymphoma. In contrast, T-lymphoblastic lymphoma was relatively more frequent compared with that of Western populations. Extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma [MALT type] of the gastrointestinal tract accounted for majority of the primary extranodal lymphoma