Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health (Nov 2024)
Incidence trends of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in children in the United States from 2000 to 2020
Abstract
Background: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) originates from the lymphoid tissues with a great morbidity and economic burden. It accounts for about 5 % of cancers in the United States (US) in 2024. We aimed to report the incidence trend of pediatric NHL in the US over 2000–2020, by age, sex, and subtype. Methods: We utilized data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program. Cases were categorized using the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology version 3. We reported age-standariszed incidence rates (ASIRs) and average annual percent changes (AAPC). Results: From 2000 to 2019, there were 38,098 reported cases of pediatric NHL, with B-cell NHL being the most common subtype (84.31 %). Most cases were observed in non-Hispanic Whites (46.71 %) and children aged ≤4 years (37.26 %). The ASIR per 100,000 population was 5.47 (5.40–5.54) for males and 3.95 (3.89–4.01) for females. Over the study period, both sexes showed significant increases in ASIRs (AAPCs of 0.93 % for males and 0.51 % for females). However, no significant changes were observed in the ASIRs of pediatric NHL across all races and both sexes after the COVID-19 pandemic (percent change: 1.30 % [-5.10, 7.70]). Conclusions: While overall incidence rates remained stable, significant demographic variations were evident, including increases among Hispanic males and decreases among NHB females. There is a need for targeted interventions to address demographic disparities and the complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors influencing NHL ASIRs in pediatric populations.
