ABCL-154: Problems in the Management of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) in the Hematology Department of CHU of Conakry (Guinea)

Introduction: Non-Hodgkin lymphomas are characterized by monoclonal malignant proliferation of B or T lymphoid cells, rarely NK. The objective of the study was to determine the main difficulties in the management of patients being followed for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out at the Hematology Department of the Conakry University Hospital. It took place over a period from January 2015 to September 2019. It consisted of data collection from the records of patients meeting the inclusion criteria during the study period. Results: We included 49 cases in which NHL accounted for 51.12% of all hematological malignancies. The M/F sex ratio was 2.11. The mean age was 43 years with extremes of 17 and 75 years. The most affected age group was 45-59 years of age. Diagnosis was made on the basis of: histology (93.88%), immunohistochemistry (4.08%), cytology (2.04%). The diagnostic delay was less than 6 months (10.20%), between 6 and 12 months (42.85%) and more than 12 months (46.95%). The most frequent histological type was diffuse large cell lymphoma (41%), followed by Burkitt lymphoma (20.41%) and marginal zone lymphoma (19%). Treatment was mainly CHOP21 (61.02%), COP (14.28%), and the rest of the patients were untreated. For those treated, the therapeutic plan was respected in 38.25% of cases. Conclusion: Diagnostic delay, unavailability of immunohistochemistry and specific drugs, low socioeconomic status, and illiteracy for some patients were the main problems found in the management of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in our exercise setting.