[Analysis of clinical manifestations in nasal NK/T-cell lymphomas]

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the clinical findings, histopathological features, treatment outcome as well as prognosis of nasal NK/T-cell lymphomas and to provide experiences for the diagnosis and treatment of the tumor.

Method: Nine cases with nasal NK/T-cell lymphomas were treated from 1990-2000. Morphological and immunohistochemical study were performed on paraffin sections. Patients underwent radiation therapy (1 case), chemotherapy (2 cases), combination of radiation and chemotherapy (6 cases), respectively.

Result: Clinically, NK/T-cell lymphomas had a male predominance and most presented as ulceration of lower turbinates and nasal septum. Histopathologically, NK/T-cell lymphomas were characterized by angiocentricity, angioinvasion and necrosis. The immunophenotyes of the NK/T-cell lymphomas were CD45RO+, CD43+, CD3epsilon+, CD56+. All patients with NK/ T-cell lymphoma died, and the duration of the disease from onset to death ranged from 3-34 months.

Conclusion: Nasal NK/T-cell appear to have a male predominance, to originate more frequently in lower turbinates and nasal septum. They appears to carry a high malignancy and poor prognosis. NK/T-cell lymphomas pursue a aggressive course.