Changing trends in lymphoid neoplasm distribution in South Korea: analysis of 8615 cases from a single institute, 1997–2016

The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in the proportion of lymphoid neoplasm subtypes in South Korea. A total of 8615 cases of lymphoid neoplasms diagnosed in 1997–2016 at Samsung Medical Center in South Korea were classified according to the 2008 World Health Organization system. The total number and proportion of lymphoid neoplasms were compared between these two decades, with data from nationwide studies, and with other countries. To evaluate changes in the proportion of subtypes, crude rate of each subtype per 100 lymphoma patients during each decade and age adjusted rate were calculated. There were 3024 patients with lymphoid neoplasm in 1997–2006, and 5591 in 2007–2016, which represents an average increase of 1.85 times over the 20-year study period. Crude rate and age adjusted rate were increased in Hodgkin's lymphoma and mature B cell lymphoma while precursor lymphoid neoplasms and mature T cell lymphoma were decreased. Among B cell neoplasms, age adjusted rate of plasma cell neoplasm, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma increased while there was no significant change in extranodal marginal zone lymphoma and Burkitt lymphoma. The increase in follicular lymphoma was due to the increases in nodal follicular lymphoma of low grade and duodenal-type follicular lymphoma. These results are consistent with the dynamics of causative factors, including socioeconomic factors, in Korea.