OBJECTIVES: Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is known to be an aggressive, as well as a clinically and morphologically heterogenous subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). However, the literature assessing its epidemiological burden is limited. This review aims to summarize the epidemiological data of DLBCL across the globe.

METHODS: A targeted literature search of English-language publications in the last 10 years (2009-2020) was performed in PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane library databases. Google hand search was also performed to locate potential publications. The outcomes studied included incidence, prevalence and mortality associated with DLBCL.

RESULTS: Thirty-two studies were included in the review. In United States, the number of new cases ranged from 5.4-5.8 per 100,000 persons between 2009-2016. Wales and England were reported to have higher incidence rates in 2011 among other European countries (Wales: 11 per 100,000; England: 10.5 per 100,000). DLBCL accounted for 63% (19,659/31,388) and 30% (2,116/7,131) of the total incident cases observed among all types of Mature B-cell lymphomas in Korea and Singapore respectively. Mortality associated with DLBCL ranged from 1.5–8.1 per 100,000 persons among European countries and 3.7–7.2 per 100,000 persons among Asian/Pacific countries in 2011. Higher incidence and mortality rates were observed in the patients aged 65-74 years. Considerable differences in the incidence were also seen based on gender, with higher number of cases diagnosed in males. An overall upward trend in the DLBCL incidence has been observed over time. A scarcity of data on prevalence of DLBCL was observed.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicated that marked disparities in the epidemiology of DLBCL were seen by age, gender and geographical region. The paucity in epidemiological data, highlights the need for future real-world studies to estimate the overall burden of the disease and examine its underlying factors.