Incidence and Mortality Rates of Hodgkin's Lymphoma in the Western Region of Libya

Abstract

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is a malignant disorder of the lymphatic system and represents an important subgroup of lymphoid neoplasms, which also include non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), plasma cell neoplasms, and lymphoid leukemias. Differences in cancer incidence, mortality, diagnosis, and treatment outcomes between developed and developing countries highlight the need for local epidemiological studies. Due to the limited availability of documented research on lymphomas in Libya, this study aimed to investigate the incidence, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of HL patients while also presenting a rare familial case involving affected siblings. This retrospective documentary study was conducted using records from the oncology centers of Sabratha and Misurata between September 2023 and January 2024. A total of 872 lymphoma patients were reviewed, of whom 357 were diagnosed with HL. Male patients constituted a slightly higher proportion of HL cases than females, with mean ages of 36.83 and 34.91 years, respectively. Most HL cases originated from Misurata, followed by Tripoli and Khums. The highest disease frequency was observed among individuals aged 9–40 years, while fewer cases were recorded among older age groups. The overall mortality rate among lymphoma patients was low, with 19 deaths recorded among the 872 cases. Among HL patients, mortality was slightly higher in females than in males. The findings are consistent with international reports indicating a higher incidence of HL in males and a predominance of disease occurrence in younger adults. The study confirms important epidemiological and clinical characteristics of HL and NHL in Libya and emphasizes the need for further research to better understand the causes, risk factors, and prognosis of Hodgkin lymphoma, particularly in relation to its increasing epidemiological trends