Highlights of extranodal lymphomas in Ibadan, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE

To find out the pattern, trend and site distribution of extranodal lymphomas in Ibadan.

DESIGN

Case series.

SETTING

Department of Pathology, University College Hospital.

SUBJECTS

All cases of malignant lymphomas with extranodal manifestations between 1981 and 1998.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Frequency and distribution of primary extranodal lymphomas.

RESULTS

Extranodal lymphomas constituted 9.8% of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas(NHLs) during the period, increasing from 8.5% of NHLs from 1980 to 1990 to 12.4% from 1991 to 1998. During the entire 18 year period the nasal/nasopharynx, gastro-intestinal tract (GIT), tonsils and skin were the most commonly affected sites constituting 20.2%, 19.3%, 14.3% and 13.4%, respectively of all extranodal lymphomas. However, between 1980 and 1991 the GIT was the most commonly affected site (26.1%) followed by the nasal/nasopharyngeal region (11.6%). The involvement of the nasopharyngeal area during the second period of the study accounted for 32.0%.

CONCLUSION

The reasons for this changing trend are unknown and the significance of HIV infection in this regard is uncertain.