Lymphoma--emerging realities in sub-Saharan Africa

Substantial geographical differences exist for Hodgkin and other lymphoproliferative disorders with these having previously been documented in a report from the lymphoma reclassification project. In the light of rampant human immunodeficiency syndrome, largely centred in sub-Sahara, this experience is updated in a further 512 consecutive individuals treated over an 8-year period in a privately based academic centre. Median age was 55.2 years 61% were males, 10% had Hodgkin lymphoma and, overall, constitutional symptoms were present in 20%. Prior to referral 19% had received chemotherapy and a further 20% some form of irradiation. Median survival in hairy cell leukaemia (n=14), chronic lymphocytic leukaemia-small lymphocytic lymphoma (n=103), Hodgkin (n=41) and follicular lymphoma (n=59) was not reached at the time of analysis and exceeded 36 months. This was followed by 32 months for those with mantle cell (n=7), splenic (n=2) and extranodal marginal cell (n=11), 24 months for T-cell lymphomas (n=24), 20 months for diffuse large B-cell variants (n=88) but only 12 months for the aggressive tumours exemplified by Burkitt (n=7) and lymphoblastic subtypes (n=6). The remaining 36 patients had to be excluded because numbers were too small for statistical analysis or unreliable staging. Adverse factors were constitutional symptoms, prior treatment with chemotherapy, intermediate or high-risk scores as defined by the international prognostic index, histologic grading and certain anatomical sites of primary tumour. In contrast gender, staging by Rye or Rai classification, retroviral infection and prior treatment with radiotherapy were without effect. Overall survival at 3 years in each category was compared to the curve for the entire cohort and was 100% in hairy cell leukaemia receiving two chlorodeoxyadenosine and greater than 88% in Hodgkin lymphoma treated according to the German study group protocols (p=0.0004). Corresponding figures for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia-small lymphocytic lymphoma were 82% (p=0.0006), follicular lymphoma 71% (p=0.060), peripheral T-cell lymphoma 43% (p=0.0156), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma 39% (p<0.0001), aggressive tumours 25% (p=0.0002) and for the indolent categories including mantle cell, splenic and extra nodal marginal cell lymphomas 22% (p=0.2023). Outcome argues in favour of patient management by a multidisciplinary team implicit in which are standardised protocols for diagnosis, staging and treatment. Under these circumstances the well recognized centre effect applies when results approximate those from first world reference centres. Conversely any deviation from such a disciplined approach is unlikely to achieve comparable benefit and therefore to be strongly discouraged.