Adult Lymphomas In Lagos Nigeria: A Fourteen Year Study

Abstract

Objective: we present a 14 year retrospective histopathological study of 92 cases of adult lymphomas in Lagos. The aim is to document the histologic types, age and sex distribution.

Materials and method: The materials consisted of slides and paraffin embedded blocks of all cases of lymphoma in adults above the age of 16 years seen between 1991 and 2004 at the Morbid Anatomy Department of Lagos University Teaching Hospital Idi-Araba Lagos.

Results Of ninety two cases of lymphoma studied, male and female patients accounted for 59(64%) and 33(36%) cases respectively, giving a M: F ratio of 1.8:1. The most frequently biopsied site is the cervical lymph node. Non-Hodgkin\'s lymphoma (NHL) which accounted for 60 cases occurred most frequently in the 46-55 years age group and gives a male: female ratio of 2: 1. Intermediate grade, high grade and low grade variants of NHLs accounted for 39%, 34% and 27% respectively. Hodgkin\'s lymphoma mostly affected patients of younger age group, 25-35 years with a M:F ratio of 1.7:1. Mixed cellularity 17 (55%) was the commonest subtype of Hodgkin\'s lymphoma.

Conclusion: Non-Hodgkin\'s lymphoma is commoner than Hodgkin\'s lymphoma. The age and sex distribution agrees with reports from other parts of Nigeria and Africa with minimal variations.


Nigerian Quarterly Journal of Hospital Medicine Vol. 17 (2) 2007: pp. 63-66