TCL-238: Clinicopathological Features of T-Cell Lymphomas in Egypt (Single-Center Experience)

Context: T-cell lymphomas are uncommon lymphoproliferative disorders that represent approximately 10–15% of all lymphomas. T-cell lymphomas are significantly rarer and more difficult to treat than B-cell lymphoma, either due to the paucity of large trials or due to the biology of the disease. Objective: To study the clinicopathological features of T-cell lymphoma in our locality and to compare these results with those documented in the literature. Patients: This is a retrospective observational study in which 1015 patients with NHL were reviewed through electronic health records for cases of T-cell lymphoma between January 1, 2014 and October 31, 2018. Results: T-cell lymphoma was diagnosed in 75 (7%) cases of all NHL patients. ALCL was the most common followed by PTCL (NOS), MF, T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma, then AITL (48%, 25.3%, 13.3%, 12%, and 1.3% respectively). The median age for ALCL and PTCL-NOS were 37.5 and 47 years, respectively. Male predominance was in all types except MF. HCV antibodies were detected in 17 patients (22.7%). Most patients presented with advanced stage (stage III-IV, 83%) and extra-nodal involvement (73.7%), mostly bone marrow infiltration (33.8%), hepatic infiltration (20%), then CNS (3%). Most patients had low or intermediate IPI (39.5%, 41%). Most patients received induction therapy (81.5%) with anthracycline containing either CHOP or CHEOP protocols. CR rate after first-line therapy was 25.3% and 9.3% after second-line therapy. Relapse rate was 38.5 % for all cases. Four-year DFS was 76% for ALCL. Four-year OS for ALCL, PTCL (NOS), and MF were 28%, 55%, and 100%, respectively. Conclusions: T-cell lymphomas in Egypt is a rare NHL that has different clinicopathological features, especially in association with hepatitis C infection that necessitate participation in international registries for T-cell lymphoma, such as T-cell Project 2.0, to investigate the most optimal treatment strategies for these neoplasms in the real-world population.