Hodgkin's lymphoma - UK mortality statistics

In 2008 there were 302 deaths from Hodgkin’s lymphoma in the UK ( Table 2.11-3).

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The incidence peak of Hodgkin’s lymphoma observed in young adults in the UK is not reflected in the mortality rates. The patterns in age-specific mortality reflect the much better survival rates for Hodgkin’s lymphoma in young adults. The Hodgkin's lymphoma mortality rates rise with increasing age, most rapidly after age 55 years and peak in those aged over 75 years ( Figure2.11-3).

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Since the early 1970s there have been large decreases in the death rates for Hodgkin’s lymphoma in the UK. From 1971-2008, the age-standardised mortality rate for Hodgkin’s lymphoma fell from 2.2 to 0.5 per 100,000 males, and from 1.1 to 0.3 per 100,000 females ( Figure 2.21-3).

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The biggest declines in Hodgkin's lymphoma mortality rates have been in young and middle aged adults, with the smallest falls in those over 70.

Within the EU there is less variation in Hodgkin's lymphoma mortality than there is for incidence and the UK has significantly lower rates than the EU average ( Figure 2.34).

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Because in most developed countries Hodgkin’s lymphoma can be successfully treated, the international variation in incidence is not reflected in variation in mortality rates.

In less developed countries there is an average of one death for every two cases of Hodgkin's lymphoma, while in more developed countries there is an average of one death for every four cases.

In countries such as Yemen and Lebanon, where the Hodgkin's lymphoma incidence is high and the best treatment is not available to many people, mortality rates are high. Many countries with low incidence and poor survival have mortality rates similar to countries with higher incidence but better survival, for example the Hodgkin's lymphoma incidence rates in India are around a third of the UK rates but mortality rates are very similar ( Figure 2.44).

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