Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in Saudi Arabia: retrospective single-center review.

Abstract

BACKGROUNDCutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is an uncommon disease with various clinical presentations. The hypopigmented type is more common in individuals with a dark skin complexion. Moreover, childhood CTCL is more common in Mediterranean populations in comparison to the West.OBJECTIVETo describe CTCL in the Saudi population.DESIGNA retrospective collection of data on all cases of CTCL from 2010–2016.SETTINGDermatology clinic at a tertiary center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe collected data on all cases of CTCL diagnosed clinically and confirmed pathologically.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)The number of cases of CTCL, gender, age at diagnosis and clinical subtypes.RESULTSThe most common presentation among 125 patients was the classic type (patches and plaques) followed by the hypopigmented and poikilodermatous variants. Males were 58% of the population (n=72). The median age at diagnosis was 41 years and the range was 5 to 86 years. Thirteen percent were younger than 20 years of age.CONCLUSIONHypopigmented and poikilodermatous types of CTCL are more common in our population than in the West.LIMITATIONRetrospective, single-center data may not be generalizable since difficult cases are more likely to be referred to a tertiary center.