Clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of non Hodgkin’s lymphoma in Bedouins in the south of Israel

Abstract

The presentation of Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) may vary in relation to ethnicity or environmental effects. The objective of our study was to characterize NHL among the Negev Bedouin population, compared to the Jewish population.Retrospective data were collected for 45 Bedouin and 45 Jewish patients who were treated at Soroka University Medical Center between 1990 and 2007.Upon diagnosis, rates of aggressive NHL types, involvement of extra-lymphatic organs, as well as mean LDH were higher among Bedouin. Treatment response was poorer among the Bedouin: overall survival and disease-free survival were higher among Jews (mean of 145 and 168 months, respectively, compared with 70 and 45 months, respectively, among Bedouin; p < 0.01 for both).In summary, disease aggressiveness and poor response to treatment among the Negev Bedouin may shed some light on the pathogenicity of NHL and may indicate a need for more aggressive treatment in different ethnic groups.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/2193-1801-2-672) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Poorer outcome of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the Bedouin population: A report from the Berlin‐Frankfurt‐Muenster–based Israeli national protocols

“…The difference in outcome of hematological malignancies was demonstrated in adult patients belonging to the Bedouin population . Levi et al demonstrated higher rates of aggressive non‐Hodgkin lymphoma, involvement of extralymphatic organs, as well as mean LDH among adult Bedouins compared with Jews, together with poorer OS and disease free survival (DFS).…”

“…The difference in outcome of hematological malignancies was demonstrated in adult patients belonging to the Bedouin population . Levi et al demonstrated higher rates of aggressive non‐Hodgkin lymphoma, involvement of extralymphatic organs, as well as mean LDH among adult Bedouins compared with Jews, together with poorer OS and disease free survival (DFS). Levy et al demonstrated the Bedouins suffering from Hodgkin lymphoma had higher incidence of mixed cellularity histology, more advanced disease at diagnosis, higher rates of resistant disease (8.7‐fold), and lower OS and DFS compared with other populations.…”

“…34 The difference in outcome of hematological malignancies was demonstrated in adult patients belonging to the Bedouin population. 35,36 Levi et al 35 The presence of diverse populations in a country where treatment is based on a national health care system and data are prospectively collected provided us with a unique opportunity to study the role of ethnicity on outcome in a population-based manner. It enabled us to reveal that patients of Bedouin origin may be considered a higher risk group that may need innovative therapies and/or intensive supportive care for the different ALL subgroups.…”

Phase III of Study of R-CHOP-21 vs R-CHOP-14 for Untreated Stage III and IV B-cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: a Report from Iran

“…Our study was done in patients with Iranian ethnicity that Wang (2008) documented the impact of racial and ethnic disparities in access to treatment for DLBCL that could increase disparities in outcomes such as survival in the presence of R-CHOP. Also, Levi (2013) reported that affecting of treatment in NHL patients may be different in ethnic groups.…”