Publication:

Epidemiology, clinicopathological profile, treatment patterns and survival outcomes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a 10-year single-institution retrospective study

Background Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a heterogeneous group of malignancies with wide variation in clinical presentation and outcomes. Data from resource-limited settings on clinicopathological characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcomes remain limited.

Methods This retrospective study included 692 patients with histologically confirmed NHL treated at a tertiary government hospital over a 10-year period. Demographic details, clinicopathological features, treatment modalities, and outcomes were extracted from medical records and radiotherapy registers using a predefined data collection form. Analyses were performed using descriptive statistics based on available data without imputation.

Results The median age at diagnosis was 55.5 years, with a male predominance (male-to-female ratio ~1.2:1). Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was the most common histological subtype, accounting for 56.3% of patients with documented histology. Ann Arbor staging was available in 422 patients, of whom 67.3% presented with advanced-stage disease (stage III–IV). Chemotherapy was administered in 60.1% of patients, predominantly using CHOP-based regimens. Radiotherapy was delivered with radical or consolidative intent in a substantial proportion of patients, while others received palliative radiotherapy. At last follow-up, 16.8% of patients were alive, 20.1% had died, and a significant proportion were lost to follow-up or had undocumented survival status. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was not performed due to inconsistent documentation of follow-up dates.

Conclusions This large single-institution study demonstrates a high burden of advanced-stage NHL at presentation in a low-resource setting, with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma as the predominant subtype. Outcomes were influenced by delayed presentation, limited access to targeted therapies, and substantial loss to follow-up. Strengthening early diagnosis, access to comprehensive oncologic care, and follow-up systems is essential to improve outcomes in similar settings.