Cutaneous lymphomas in Germany: an analysis of the Central Cutaneous Lymphoma Registry of the German Society of Dermatology (DDG).
BACKGROUND
Primary cutaneous lymphomas form a heterogeneous group of lymphatic neoplasias. They manifest themselves on the skin and are the second most frequent group of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) following gastrointestinal lymphomas. The number of epidemiologic studies is small due to limited availability and limited comparability on population-based data.


METHODS
In the present study the first evaluation of the German Central Registry for Cutaneous Lymphomas (ZRKL) of the German Society of Dermatology (DDG) is undertaken on the basis of 998 patients. The epidemiology of cutaneous lymphomas in Germany is compared to other national or regional lymphoma registries.


RESULTS
Based on the registration of 998 patients from 26 clinics in Germany,a clear predominance of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (85 %) in comparison to cutaneous B-cell lymphomas (14 %) is seen. The most frequent representative of CTCL is mycosis fungoides,composing 62 % of cases with a slight predominance of men (M:F = 1.6:1). Differences are also seen in stage of the disease at first presentation of patients with cutaneous lymphomas.While, for example, 80 % of patients with mycosis fungoides in Germany present in early stages (I-IIA),in the USA 34 % of patients are in the tumor stage or have organ involvement at presentation.


CONCLUSIONS
The ZRKL of the DDG for the first time presents epidemiologic data from Germany, allowing comparison with other nations for the study of etio-logical factors and socioeconomic influences. Further, the ZRKL supports the development of uniform and quality-oriented diagnostic criteria and therapeutic options. Finally, the ZRKL provides a foundation for future intensive study of clinical and scientific questions regarding cutaneous T- and B-cell lymphomas.
Department of Dermatology, Allergy and Venereology, Skin Tumor Center Charité (HTCC), Charité University Medicine, Berlin, Germany. chalid.assaf@charite.de
Chalid
C
Assaf
Sylke
S
Gellrich
Matthias
M
Steinhoff
Dorothée
D
Nashan
Franca
F
Weisse
Edgar
E
Dippel
Esther
E
Coors
Anette
A
Stein
Philippa
P
Gollin
Ulrike
U
Henke
Sabrina
S
Adam-Murati
André
A
Koch
Claus-Detlev
CD
Klemke
Rudolf
R
Stadler
Wolfram
W
Sterry
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003880:Dermatology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012042:Registries; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012955:Societies, Medical