Journal of Cancer Epidemiology (Jan 2022)

Epidemiology of Adult T-Cell Leukaemia/Lymphoma in South Africa over a 10-Year Period

  • Erica-Mari Nell,
  • Ibtisam Abdullah,
  • Carla Griesel,
  • Nadhiya Subramony,
  • Louis Almero du Pisani,
  • Zivanai Cuthbert Chapanduka

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/2058280
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2022

Abstract

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Introduction. Adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a rare and aggressive malignancy of mature T-cells. Limited epidemiological studies have shown that there is substantial variation in age at diagnosis and subtype distribution between different geographical regions. This is the first epidemiological study of ATLL in South Africa. Methods. A national epidemiological study of ATLL in South Africa was performed. All new cases of ATLL from 2009 to 2019 were identified by laboratory database search in public and private health care sectors. Demographic and diagnostic data were obtained, and the cases were subtyped according to the Shimoyama classification. Results. There were 31 patients with ATLL over the 10-year period, with an incidence of 0.06 per 100000 population. The male to female ratio was 1 : 1 and the median age at diagnosis was 37 years. Acute ATLL was the most commonly seen subtype in South Africa. Conclusion. In this, the first epidemiological study of ATLL in South Africa, we demonstrate that ATLL is a rare disease, that acute ATLL is the most commonly diagnosed subtype, and that ATLL is likely under diagnosed. Patients present at a considerably younger age than the reported age in other nations.