Primary gastrointestinal lymphoma in Jordan.

This study presents striking differences in the occurrence of gastric and intestinal lymphomas in Jordan, demonstrating a picture similar to that reported in the Mediterranean zone but different from that in Western countries. In 47 Jordanians, the ratio of gastric to intestinal cases was 1:2.6; mean ages were 53 and 18 years respectively; and peak incidence rates were 1.1 and 1.2 in males 35-64 years old old and children below the age of 10 years, respectively. Lymphoma constituted 7% of gastric and 90% of intestinal malignancies. Gastric lymphoma generally presented at an earlier clinical stage. Ileocaecal lymphoma accounted for 21% of gastrointestinal lymphomas, occurring in children below the age of 10 years, with preponderance of the diffuse large cell type; 90% presented in clinical stage II. Annual minimal incidence of gastrointestinal lymphoma was 0.5 per 100.000 in the Jordanian population. It is envisaged that with the progressive change of Jordanians' habits towards a Western style, follow up studies have to be awaited to detect any possible changes in the pattern of primary gastrointestinal lymphoma in this population.