The epidemiology of subcutaneous panniculitis-like alpha-beta T-cell lymphoma in New Zealand.

BACKGROUND/

OBJECTIVES

Subcutaneous panniculitis-like alpha-beta T-cell lymphoma is a rare disease, which comprises less than 1% of all non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The epidemiology of this disorder has not been established in New Zealand, particularly the ethnic variation.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted from 2005 to 2017 in South Auckland, New Zealand. Patients with histopathologically confirmed subcutaneous panniculitis-like alpha-beta T-cell lymphoma, according to the WHO-EORTC classification, were included. Cases were identified from multiple data sources to ensure the study population was completely surveyed. Census data were used as the denominator.

RESULTS

Ten cases were identified. Five were men and five women. The median age at diagnosis was of 38.5 years (range 17-73 years). Nine were Māori/Pacific, and one was European. The ethnic relative risk of subcutaneous panniculitis-like alpha-beta T-cell lymphoma in Māori/Pacific versus European was 11.1 (95% Cl 1.83-246.1, P = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

Māori and Pacific have a higher relative risk of subcutaneous panniculitis-like alpha-beta T-cell lymphoma compared to non-Māori/Pacific.