Presentation of two cases of nasal type NK/T-cell lymphoma

Abstract

Nasal type NK/T-cell lymphoma is a rare type of predominantly extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Early and correct diagnosis with prompt treatment of NK/T-cell lymphoma is important in view of its potentially aggressive behavior and poor response to treatment with additional sites of tumor developing sometimes weeks or months after initial diagnosis. Unfortunately diagnosis of NK/T-cell lymphomas often proves difficult. The diagnosis is essentially based on the clinical presentation of extranodal ulcerative lesions in the upper aero-digestive tract and histopathologic analysis of biopsies using immunohistochemistry. Here we present two cases with nasal-type NK/T-cell lymphoma that illustrate that definitive diagnosis is often delayed due to the atypical initial presentation. We will discuss the pitfalls in diagnosing this rare type of neoplasm and review the treatment options.