Clinico pathological pattern of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the western region of Saudi Arabia

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, 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 [1994-2004] were retrospectively studied clinically and histopathologically. They were classified using the international working formulation, and recorded in a structured questionnaire. Of the 109 patients with NHL, 42 [47.2%] were Saudi and 67 [75.3%] were Non-Saudi, with male to female ratio of 1.71. The mean age of the patients was 48 years, age range [12-93 years]. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of intermediate grade was the most frequent histopathological diagnosis 48 [53.9%] followed by high grade 28 [31.5%] and 13 [14.6%] low grade lymphoma. The proportion of primary extranodal NHL was 20 [18.3%] with stomach being the commonest site 9 [45%]. Immunologically, the percentage of NHL with B-cell and T-cell phenotype were 92 [84.4] and 17 [15.7] respectively. Complete remission was achieved in 24 [27%] of patients with nodal presentation and 5 [25%] with extranodal NHL. Prevalence of its advanced stage of the disease 58 [65.1%] and B symptoms 68 [80%] of nodal cases, 11 [55%] of extranodal NHL patients were recognized. The distribution of various types of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma showed clinical and histopathological similarities and differences when compared with other Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma series from the region, Asian countries or the West. Larger studies using the new WHO classification of lymphomas should be considered