Prognostic outcome of extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma: a nationwide cohort

We aimed to investigate prognostic determinants of extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma). We analyzed 11,730 patients captured in the National cancer registry. Kaplan-Meier estimates compared survival by sex, age, and SEER stage, while multivariable Cox models identified mortality determinants. Women represented 54.6% of cases and had better survival than men. Age distribution peaked in the fifth-sixth decades. Survival declined with older age and advanced SEER stage. In multivariable models, male sex (hazard ratio [HR] 2.00, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.48-2.70), advanced age (HR 33.92, 95% CI 18.23-63.10 for ≥ 80 years), and metastatic disease (HR 2.77, 95% CI 2.03-3.78), diabetes, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular disease were associated with higher mortality. Conversely, higher household income (HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.45-0.88), physical activity (HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.42-0.86), and higher body mass index (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.91-0.99) were associated with reduced mortality. Subgroup analyses showed consistently worse outcomes for men across age strata. Comorbidity effects were most pronounced at ages 60-79. Income, physical activity, smoking, and BMI have age-specific survival benefits. In conclusion, prognosis in MALT lymphoma is strongly influenced by sex, age, stage, comorbidities, and lifestyle.