Classification of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in Algeria according to the World Health Organization classification

Abstract

The relative distribution of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) subtypes differs markedly around the world. The aim of this study was to report this distribution in Algeria. A panel of four hematopathologists classified 197 consecutive cases according to the World Health Organization classification, including 87.3% B-cell and 12.7% T- or natural killer (NK)-cell NHLs. This series was compared with similar cohorts from Western Europe (WEU) and North America (NA). Algeria had a significantly higher frequency of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL: 52.8%) and a lower frequency of follicular lymphoma (FL: 13.2%) compared with WEU (DLBCL: 32.2%; FL: 20.0%) and NA (DLBCL: 29.3%; FL: 33.6%). The frequency of mantle cell lymphoma was lower in Algeria (2.5%) compared with WEU (8.3%). Smaller differences were also found among the NK/T-cell lymphomas. In conclusion, we found important differences between Algeria and Western countries, and further epidemiologic studies are needed to explain these differences.

Keywords::

• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Algeria
• epidemiology
• diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Acknowledgements

We thank all the haematologists and pathologists from Algeria who contributed to this study: K. Mekhelef, C. Aboura, L. Louanchi, M. Ramaoun, K. Bendissari, M. Belhani (Centre Hospitalier Universitarie Beni Messous, Algiers); H. Henneb, M. Allouda, H. Ait Ali (Centre Hospitalier Universitarie Tizi Ouzou, Algeria); N. Terki, N. Ait Amer, F. Tensaout, R. Hamladji (Centre Pierre Marie Curie, Algiers); H. Benmebarek, A. Abdennebi, L. Kalem (Centre Hospitalier Universitarie Parnet, Algiers); C. Graradj, Y. Lamouti (Centre Hospitalier Universitarie Blida, Algeria).

Potential conflict of interest:

Disclosure forms provided by the authors are available with the full text of this article at www.informahealthcare.com/lal.