[Low incidence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma but high seroprevalence of HTLV-I in Curaçao].
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the low incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in Curaçao has changed in comparison with the increase in incidence in many western countries, and to investigate the role of the HTLV-I infection that is endemic in the Caribbean area.


METHODS
Retrospective.


METHODS
Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles.


METHODS
Retrospective file analysis in the only hospital in Curaçao.


RESULTS
During the period 1987-1992, 31 patients had a histologically confirmed diagnosis of NHL resulting in an annual incidence rate of 4.9/100,000 adults. There was a strong age-related increase in NHL incidence rate (0.5 for patients < 30 years to 17.8 for patients > or = 70 years), with a male to female ratio of I. (In the western world the incidence is 12-14, in the seventies it was 4.5 in Curaçao.) Seven of 12 patients (58%) tested were seropositive for HTLV-I. Median survival was 6 months, despite conventional therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
While HTLV-I infection can often be demonstrated in NHL patients in Curaçao, NHL incidence has remained low over the past 25 years.
Ester
A
A
St. Elisabeth Hospitaal, afd. Interne Geneeskunde, Willemstad, Curaçao.
Nossent
J C
JC
Coronel
C M
CM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009427:Netherlands Antilles / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
Lage incidentie van non-Hodgkin-lymfoom, maar hoge seroprevalentie van HTLV-I op Curaçao.