Epidemiological trends in cutaneous lymphomas in Greece

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Oncology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Primary cutaneous lymphomas (PCLs) are rare non-Hodgkin lymphomas originating in the skin.
• Limited epidemiological data exists for PCLs globally.
• Understanding PCL incidence and trends is crucial for public health and resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the epidemiological characteristics of PCLs in Attica, Greece.
• To estimate annual incidence rates (IRs) and temporal trends of PCLs and their subtypes.
• To compare Greek PCL incidence with international data.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of PCL patients diagnosed between 2009-2021.
• Inclusion of 1,189 patients from a major haemopathology referral center in Attica.
• Calculation of crude and age-adjusted incidence rates per 100,000 person-years.

Main Results:

• The overall PCL annual IR was 2.2 new cases per 100,000 individuals.
• Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) constituted 82.3% of cases, with Mycosis Fungoides (MF) being the most common subtype (68.7%).
• PCL, CTCL, and MF incidence rose until 2019, then declined in 2020-2021, while Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (CBCL) incidence steadily increased. Greek PCL IRs exceeded those reported internationally.

Conclusions:

• PCL incidence in Greece is notably higher than in other regions.
• Improved diagnostic efficiency may explain the rising trend pre-2020.
• The COVID-19 pandemic likely contributed to the observed diagnostic decline in 2020-2021.