Clinicopathological Assessment of Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas in a Sample of Iraqi Patients

الملخص

Background: Lymphomas are heterogeneous malignant neoplasms of lymphoid origin and represent the most common hematologic malignancies worldwide. They are broadly classified into Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and non- Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) based on morphologic and immunophenotypic criteria. Accurate subclassification using immunohistochemistry is essential for appropriate diagnosis and management. Aim: To perform a clinicopathological assessment of Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma among Iraqi patients, evaluating frequency, age, sex, site distribution, and the diagnostic value of immunohistochemical markers. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted on 118 cases of malignant lymphoma diagnosed between January 2022 and December 2024. Cases were collected from multiple teaching laboratories and pathology departments. Clinical and pathological data, including age, sex, tumor site, size, biopsy type, and immunophenotype, were extracted from reports. Excisional biopsy was the most common diagnostic method. A panel of 32 immunohistochemical markers was used for classification. Cases with incomplete data or inadequate tissue were excluded. Results: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma predominated (71.2%) over Hodgkin lymphoma (28.8%). HL patients were younger (mean age 23.9 years), while NHL patients had a higher mean age (48.6 years). Classical HL accounted for 97.1% of HL cases, with mixed cellularity and nodular sclerosis as the main subtypes. B-cell lymphomas comprised 86.9% of NHL, with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma as the most frequent subtype (63%). Extranodal involvement was observed in 51.2% of NHL cases, whereas HL was predominantly nodal (88.2%). A male predominance (1.5:1) was noted overall. Conclusion: Distinct epidemiological and clinicopathological patterns exist between HL and NHL in this Iraqi cohort, highlighting the importance of regional data to support diagnostic accuracy and healthcare planning.