Epidemiologic overview of malignant lymphoma.
- Author:
Jooryung HUH
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords: Malignant lymphoma; Epidemiology; Asia
- MeSH: Adoption; Aging; Asia; Asian Continental Ancestry Group; Autoimmune Diseases; Developed Countries; Developing Countries; Far East; Herpesvirus 4, Human; Humans; Incidence; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell; Lymphoma; Lymphoma, B-Cell; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone; Lymphoma, Follicular; Organic Chemicals
- From:Korean Journal of Hematology 2012;47(2):92-104
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Malignant lymphoma encompasses a wide variety of distinct disease entities. It is generally more common in developed countries and less common in developing countries. The East Asia region has one of the lowest incidence rates of malignant lymphoma. The incidence of malignant lymphoma around the world has been increasing at a rate of 3-4% over the last 4 decades, while some stabilization has been observed in developed countries in recent years. The reasons behind this lymphoma epidemic are poorly understood, although improving diagnostic accuracy, the recent AIDS epidemic, an aging world population and the increasing adoption of cancer-causing behaviors are suggested as contributing factors. Etiologies of malignant lymphoma include infectious agents, immunodeficiency, autoimmune disease, exposure to certain organic chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. The distribution of many subtypes exhibit marked geographic variations. Compared to the West, T/natural killer (NK) cell lymphomas (T/NK-cell lymphoma) and extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma) are relatively more common, whereas other B-cell lymphomas, particularly follicular lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma, are less common in Asia. Some subtypes of T/NK-cell lymphomas defined by Epstein-Barr virus association are predominantly Asian diseases, if not exclusively so. Both ethnic and environmental factors play roles in such diversity. In this review, we discuss the geographic distribution and etiology of malignant lymphoma, as well as the trend.
