INCREASE IN THE INCIDENCE OF NON-HODGKINS-LYMPHOMAS - EVIDENCE FOR A RECENT SHARP INCREASE IN FRANCE INDEPENDENT OF AIDS

An increasing incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) has been repor ted in several areas of the world and often correlated with the occurr ence of AIDS-related lymphomas. A registry specialised in haematopoiet ic malignancies enabled us to report detailed time trends in the incid ence of NHL over the period 1980-89. There was an overall significant increase in incidence of +10.9% per year (P<0.001). Such a trend was o bserved both in men and in women (+11.2% and +10.5%, respectively) and in all age groups. II was slightly more marked in the case of high-gr ade tumours than for low- or intermediate-grade tumours (+20.0%, +12.6 % and +12.6% respectively) and in rural than in urban areas (+19.6% an d +8.1% respectively). In this series, only one case was associated wi th an HIV infection. These data indicate that, although a significant increase in NHL incidence related to the AIDS epidemic might be expect ed in the near future, there is an independent dramatic trend which st arted earlier than the AIDS problem and the causes of which should be investigated.