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

ABSTRACT

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 Maori/Pacific, and one was European. The ethnic relative risk of subcutaneous panniculitis-like alpha-beta T-cell lymphoma in Maori/Pacific versus European was 11.1 (95% Cl 1.83-246.1, P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Maori and Pacific have a higher relative risk of subcutaneous panniculitis-like alpha-beta T-cell lymphoma compared to non-Maori/Pacific.