Pediatric Lymphoma Among Immigrant Children in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Little is known regarding the clinical presentation and treatment outcomes of childhood lymphoma among children of international workers and unauthorized immigrants in Saudi Arabia. A retrospective chart review was performed for all immigrant children (< 15 years in age) who had been diagnosed with lymphoma and managed at King Abdulaziz University Hospital from December 2015 to February 2020. Descriptive statistics using SPSS were conducted to evaluate the clinical characteristics of the patients. Event-free survival and overall survival were calculated using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. A total of 15 children with lymphoma were included in the study period: 10 children as Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and five children as Hodgkin lymphoma cases. A medium follow-up of 36 months was conducted for all patients. The three-year event free and overall survivals were 90% for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma while were 100% for Hodgkin lymphoma. Significantly advanced disease and initial severe side effects were encountered, which mandated individualized treatment approaches to mitigate such risk factors and complications. An individualized treatment approach for unique, vulnerable children with lymphoma is feasible and critical.