Abstract

Lymphoid neoplasms are clonal lymphoproliferations and are heterogeneous in clinical presentation, histopathology, immunophenotype, and prognosis.
The objectives of the study are to determine the main subtypes of lymphoma at the National Oncology Center in Aden and to analyze the clinical parameters including age, gender, anatomic distribution (nodal and extra nodal), signs, symptoms, grading, and to compare our results with other geographic regions.
A total number of 127 cases of lymphoma were collected during two years, the diagnosis was based on histological morphology following the International Working Formulation Classification System. Data were subjected to statistical software; Statistical Package for Social Sciences SPSS version 19. Age, gender, type of lymphoma, anatomic location, signs and symptoms were computed in term of frequency.
This is a retrospective study of 127 cases of lymphoma during the years 2013-2014, the ratio of NHL to HL was 1.59: 1. NHL was 61.4% ,38.6% were males and 22.8% were females, with a male to female ratio of 1.68:1. Hodgkin lymphoma was 38.6%; 22.0% were males and 16.5% were females, with a male to female ratio was 1.3:1.
The most common age groups affected for NHL in both sexes was ≥ 60& 45-59, 22.8%& 15.0%, respectively, together accounting for more than 50% of NHL, while the most common age groups affected for HL was 30-44& 15-29, 14.2% &10.2% respectively, together accounting for more than 50% of HL. According to the grading of NHL, high grade lymphoma was 14.1%, intermediate grade 48.7%, low grade 37.2 %. Regarding the subtypes of HL, the most common subtypes were mixed cellularity and nodular sclerosis 57.1% & 38.8% respectively. NHL with nodal presentation was seen in 39.37% of cases, and extranodal 22.04%, while HL mainly was manifested as nodal in 37.79% and only 0.78% extra nodal. Swelling in neck, axilla, groin was the most common symptom for NHL and HL 48.7%& 67.3% respectively. Anemia was the most common sign for NHL and HL (62.8%&67.3% respectively), followed by hepatomegaly and splenomegaly in HL (38.8% & 51.0% respectively).
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma was twice the Hodgkin lymphoma. NHL was the most common in elder age group, while HL was in younger age group. Histological grade of NHL revealed the highest frequency of intermediate grade. Mixed cellularity was the most common subtype of HL. Nodal presentation predominate than extranodal. Lymphoma presents commonly as lymphadenopathy, fever, wt. loss, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly.