Distribution pattern of lymphoma subtypes in China: A nationwide multicenter study of 10002 cases

Objective To assess the prevalence of lymphoma subtypes in China via a nationwide multicenter study of lymphoma cases.Methods Ten thousand and two cases of malignant lymphoma diagnosed at 24 representative medical centers in China were collected and the clinical and pathologic data were analyzed.Results The patients comprised 6188 males and 3814 females(with a male to female ratio of 1.6∶1),with a median age of 54 years(range 1-95,average 50.4).Biopsy specimens from extranodal sites were slightly more common than nodal ones(with a nodal to extranodal ratio of 1∶1.2).Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma,not otherwise specified,(DLBCL,NOS) was the commonest subtype(comprising 33.27% of all lymphomas),whereas follicular lymphoma was less common when compared with Western countries.T /NK-cell lymphoma appeared more prevalent(comprising 21.38% of all lymphomas) in Chinese population.Hodgkin lymphoma accounted for 8.54% of all the lymphomas and the most common subtypes are mixed cellularity and nodular sclerosis.Conclusions A unique characteristic distribution pattern of lymphoma subtypes is observed in Chinese population.