Distribution of nodal lymphomas in a referral hospital of Mangalore city

The distribution of different types of lymphoma varies across geographic regions. AIMS: The present study was done to understand the occurrence of nodal lymphomas in a referral hospital of Mangalore city. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Descriptive study. SETTING: The present study was conducted on 95 lymph node biopsy specimens, received in a referral hospital of Mangalore city. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All cases of nodal lymphoma diagnosed between January 2007 and June 2010 in a referral hospital of Mangalore were selected for the study. The patients age and clinical details were obtained. Immunophenotyping was done for all cases of NHL and selected cases of HL. IPI score for NHL was noted and correlated with the outcome. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Chi square test was used. RESULTS: Out of the total 95 cases of nodal lymphoma 37 (39%) were HL while 58 (61%) were NHL. Classical HL was diagnosed in 35 cases (37%) while 2 cases (2%) were diagnosed NLPHL. B cell lymphoma formed 72% of NHL. Follicular lymphoma accounted for 28% of all NHL. T cell lymphoma formed 28% of NHL. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion the following points are significant about the distribution of lymphomas in a referral hospital of Mangalore city. The incidence of NSHL is higher while national data suggests MCHL as the most common subtype. The incidence of FL as well as T cell NHL is much higher when compared to national incidence. The epidemiological factors for this high frequency (either genetic or environmental) needs to be studied further.