Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Non-<br /><br />Hodgkin Lymphomas at ASEBED/C3G Hospital in<br /><br />Haiti: A Case Series
Non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) are heterogeneous lymphoid malignancies with diverse clinical and histopathological features. In resource-limited settings, their diagnosis and management remain challenging due to restricted access to specialized investigations and treatments. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic characteristics of NHL patients managed at the only cancer referral center in Northern Haiti.
Materials and Methods/Case Presentation/Objective:
A retrospective case series was conducted over a six-year period at ASEBED/C3G Hospital in Cap-Haitian, Haiti. Using a total sampling approach, the medical records of all patients diagnosed with and treated for NHL in the oncology department were reviewed. Sociodemographic, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic data were collected and analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2021 and SPSS version 26 through descriptive statistical analyses.
Results/Description/Main Outcome Measure(s):
Among 621 cancer cases diagnosed during the study period, 21 were lymphomas. After excluding Hodgkin lymphoma cases and patients with incomplete medical records, 10 patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) were included in the analysis. The mean age was 45.2 ± 18.9 years, and males and females were equally represented. All patients presented with lymphadenopathy, predominantly involving the cervical region. Diagnosis was based on histopathological examination of lymph node biopsy specimens. CHOP based chemotherapy was the most used treatment regimen, while rituximab was administered to only one patient. Overall, treatment was not completed in five patients (50%).
Conclusion(s).:
Non-Hodgkin lymphomas remain relatively uncommon in our setting. Patients were predominantly middle-aged adults, with an equal distribution between sexes. Their management continues to be constrained by limited access to specialized diagnostic and therapeutic resources, underscoring the need to strengthen local capacity for lymphoma diagnosis and treatment in Haiti.
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