Nasal Natural Killer/T-Cell Lymphoma: A Report of 7 Cases

We report the clinical course of 7 subjects with nasal extranodal natural killer/T-cell (NK/T) lymphoma (ENKL—6 men and 1 woman, aged 34-71 years—) treated between 2007 and 2010. Most had necrotic nasal cavity lesions that prevented an accurate pathological diagnosis. Definitive pathological diagnoses were obtained from 1 to 12 months after symptom onset (mean: 7.0±4.2 months). The mean time for taking biopsies was 2.6±1.7 months, and specimens required for diagnoses numbered 8.3±7.6. Subjects suspected of malignant lymphoma at initial biopsy required less time and fewer specimens for definitive diagnosis than those with a diagnosis suspected for other than malignant lymphoma. Based on Ann Arbor staging classification, 4 of the 7 were classified as stage I, 2 as stage II, and 1 as stage IV. One each in stages I and II attained remission, 2 in stage I are undergoing treatment, and one each in stages I and IV died during treatment. Early diagnosis is thus a critical factor in determining the prognosis of those with extranodal NK/T lymphoma. Our results suggest the importance of otolaryngologists to biopsy non necrotic tissues and to ensure clinical evaluation enabling prompt pathological diagnosis.