Epidemiologic Observations about Pediatric NHL in Albania

Background: The major part of NHL on children can be classified as one of the following types: lymphoblastic lymphomas, Small noncleaved cell lymphomas, large cell lymphomas. NLH is ranked in the third place after the leukemia and the brain tumors. The aim: To represent epidemiological data for NHL patients followed up during 1996-2010. Method: This study involved patients diagnosed with NHL. There was studied the annual average incidence and its dynamic, the distribution based on: stages, forms, gender, histology, age groups, geographic areas. Results: 93 patients (0-14 years old) with NHL have been enrolled in this study. Rate M/F is 1.7:1; the peak of incidence was in the age-group from 10-14 years; NHL represents 8.6% of all pediatric neoplasms and 15% of the solid tumors; The annual incidence of the general population is 0.19/105, annual average incidence is 0.57/105 children; the more prominent distribution is in the North part; the areas of Dibra and Durres have incidence that is increasing and the area of Shkodra has an incidence that is decreasing, the other areas have an irregular trend. The annual incidence is higher in urban areas. Conclusion: Our study offers epidemiologic, clinic data. We concluded that the distribution, according to age and gender, changes among NHLsubtypes. Our data have to get attention of the health institutions in order to create or compile strategies against cancer. Our study will, also, serve as a promoter in search of the favorable, explosive, environmental factors that might have influenced.