Superior outcome for splenectomised patients in a population‐based study of splenic marginal zone lymphoma in Sweden

Summary Splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL) is a rare low‐grade B‐cell lymphoma where associations with viral hepatitis and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases (AID) have been indicated. We aimed at assessing the prevalence of viral hepatitis and AID at SMZL diagnosis and outcome by treatment in a Swedish population‐based study. A total of 277 SMZL patients registered in the Swedish Lymphoma Register in 2007–2017 were included. A history of viral hepatitis was reported in five (2%) patients and AID prior to SMZL in 72/240 (30%) patients. Treatment was given up front for 207 (75%) patients. Splenectomy with or without systemic treatment was performed in 119 (57%) and was associated with statistically significantly better overall survival [hazard ratio, HR = 0·47 (95% confidence interval, CI: 0·23–0·93), P = 0·03] and progression‐free survival (HR = 0·55, 95% CI: 0·35–0·86, P = 0·008) compared to non‐splenectomised patients in multivariable analyses. The up‐front splenectomised group was younger and generally had a lower Ann Arbor stage, but also more frequently B symptoms and high lactate dehydrogenase than the non‐splenectomised group. Viral hepatitis and AID history did not affect SMZL outcome. We report high incidence of AIDs and low incidence of viral hepatitis in this population‐based study of SMZL. Splenectomy up front was associated with a favourable outcome.