Site-specific analysis of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of the head and neck: A retrospective 10-year observation

• Published in: Acta oto-laryngologica Vol. 135; no. 11; pp. 1168 - 1171
• Main Authors: Takano, Sakurako, Matsushita, Naoki, Oishi, Masahiro, Okamoto, Sachimi, Teranishi, Yuichi, Yokota, Chieko, Iguchi, Hiroyoshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Informa Healthcare 02.11.2015
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biopsy; cervical lymph node; Diagnosis, Differential; diffuse large B-cell lymphoma; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Forecasting; Head and Neck Neoplasms - pathology; Humans; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse - pathology; Male; malignant lymphoma; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging; palatine tonsil; Palatine Tonsil - pathology; Retrospective Studies; Tongue - pathology; tongue base; tongue base; diffuse large B-cell lymphoma; malignant lymphoma; cervical lymph node; palatine tonsil
• ISSN: 0001-6489; 1651-2251
• DOI: 10.3109/00016489.2015.1061700

Conclusion: B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL) in the head and neck most commonly affected the oropharynx and the cervical lymph node in sexagenarian patients, with more than 70% of these cases being diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Accordingly, B-NHL should be considered one of the most important differential diagnoses of head and neck malignancies. Objectives: It has previously been reported that the majority of head and neck malignant lymphomas are B-NHLs. This analysis aimed to assess the site-specific profiles of B-NHL of the head and neck. Methods: The medical records of patients with B-NHL of the head and neck diagnosed between January 2004 and December 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical parameters of these patients, including age, sex, site distribution, and histopathologic sub-type, were analyzed. Results: A total of 153 cases (95 males; 58 females) were included in this analysis (male-to-female ratio = 1.64:1). The patient age at the time of diagnosis ranged from 30-92 years (median = 68 years). The oropharynx was the most commonly affected site (40.5%), followed by the cervical lymph nodes (33.3%). The most common histopathologic sub-type was DLBCL (71.9%), followed by follicular lymphoma (11.1%), and extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (9.2%).