Epidemiological Analysis of Lymphoma Subtypes in a Reference Center in João Pessoa

A gradual increase in diagnosed cases of lymphoma has led to greater dissemination of relevant information and has simultaneously revealed a need to improve understanding of the pathology. The prevalence of lymphomas involves many factors that vary regionally, with regional differences in prognosis indeed playing a role in therapeutic decisions. This observational study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the prevalence of lymphoma subtypes diagnosed between 2011 and 2015 at the Napoleao Laureano Hospital, the largest hematology facility in Paraiba, northeastern Brazil and a state reference for hematological oncology. Immunohistochemistry findings and associated prognostic variables were analyzed, including calculation of prognostic indexes such as the international prognostic index (IPI), age adjusted IPI, National Comprehensive Cancer Network IPI (NCCN-IPI), mantle cell lymphoma IPI (MIPI) and follicular lymphoma IPI (FLIPI). The most noteworthy findings include the large number of young people diagnosed with aggressive disease, with poor prognostic indexes but low mortality rates, confirming the technical strength of the institution as reflected in the improved prognosis associated with the disease. The prevalence of Hodgkin lymphoma was found to be high, contradicting a considerable part of the international literature but in agreement with some studies conducted with pediatric populations in Brazil. In addition, the most prevalent subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, already well discussed in the international literature, were also represented in the present sample. All cases of lymphoma registered at this center were catalogued, with their prognoses and anatomopathological and immunohistochemical diagnoses being analyzed, consequently providing a better database for this geographical region of Brazil.