ABSTRACT
Extranodal Natural Killer/T Cell Lymphoma Nasal Type (EN-NK/T-CL-NT) is a non-Hodgkin extranodal lymphoma of unfavorable prognosis due to its aggressive nature. This neoplasm mainly affects the paranasal sinuses, nasopharynx, oropharynx, oral cavity, palate, and rarely intestinal, gastric and skin regions. 50-year-old female with a history of lymphoma in nasal and pelvic region. At four years of tumors-free, has facial asymmetry, accompanied by sub-palpebral, nasal and lip edema. Intraoral examination revealed a large ulceration suggestive of osteoradionecrosis. Gum biopsy shows Extranodal NK/T Cell Lymphoma Nasal Type (EN-NK/T-CL-NT). In this case we highlight the characteristics of EN-NK/T-CL-NT with a presentation of osteoradionecrosis-like. Unfortunately, the nature of this tumor led to the patient's death. Clinical follow-up of patients with cancer is imperative to mend and/or decrease treatment complications, as well as to identify second primary tumors or the spread of the underlying disease.
Subject(s)
Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell , Osteoradionecrosis , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Osteoradionecrosis/diagnosis , Osteoradionecrosis/pathology , Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell/diagnosis , Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell/radiotherapy , Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell/pathology , Prognosis , Pelvis , Killer Cells, Natural/pathologyABSTRACT
Extranodal NK-/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTCL) is a rare and highly aggressive malignancy with significant racial and geographic variations worldwide. In addition to the formerly "nasal-type" initial description, these lymphomas are predominantly extranodal in origin and typically cause vascular damage and tissue destruction, and although not fully understood, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has an important role in its pathogenesis. Initial assessment must include a hematopathology review of representative and viable tumor areas without necrosis for adequate immunohistochemistry studies, including EBV-encoded small RNA (EBER) in situ hybridization (ISH). Positron emission tomography with 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG-PET/CT) for accurate staging is essential, and most patients will have localized disease (IE/IIE) at diagnosis. Apart from other T-cell malignancies, the best treatment even for localized cases is combined modality therapy (chemotherapy plus radiotherapy) with non-anthracycline-based regimens. For advanced-stage disease, l-asparaginase-containing regimens have shown improved survival, but relapsed and refractory cases have very poor outcomes. Nowadays, even with a better understanding of pathogenic pathways, up-front therapy is completely based on chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and treatment-related mortality is not low. Future strategies targeting signaling pathways and immunotherapy are evolving, but we need to better identify those patients with dismal outcomes in a pre-emptive way. Given the rarity of the disease, international collaborations are urgently needed, and clinical trials are the way to change the future.
ABSTRACT
Non-Hodgkin lymphomas with T-cell immunophenotype encompass a heterogeneous group of infrequent neoplasms that follow variable clinical courses but prevalently include aggressive behavior and high mortality rates. The involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) is an uncommon event in T-cell lymphomas, with wide variability among the different disease entities. CNS can be affected either at initial diagnosis or at recurrence, and both forms are considered "secondary CNS T-cell lymphoma". Given the low incidence of secondary CNS T-cell lymphoma, related literature is sparse, contradictory, and primarily constituted by small case series and single case reports. However, reported studies uniformly suggest high mortality rates related to this event. Therefore, to improve our ability to identify high-risk patients and offer them successful CNS prophylaxis or timely and effective treatment once the event has occurred may prevent CNS-related T-cell lymphomas deaths. For example, some entities like aggressive adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, and other peripheral T-cell lymphomas with involvement of two or more extranodal organs are prone to CNS dissemination and should be considered for personalized CNS prophylaxis. The level of evidence suggesting an increased risk of CNS recurrence for other T-cell lymphomas and for other risk factors is lower. Published case series show that, following the example of aggressive B-cell lymphomas, patients with T-cell lymphomas and putative increased CNS risk receive different forms of prophylaxis, mostly methotrexate and cytarabine delivered by intrathecal and/or intravenous routes, with varied success. To date, achievements in the treatment of CNS involvement in patients with aggressive B-cell lymphoma were not replicated in secondary CNS T-cell lymphomas, and identification of effective therapies remains an urgent research target. This review is focused on clinical findings, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of patients with T-cell lymphoma experiencing CNS dissemination either at presentation or relapse. It aims to provide logical and, oftentimes, evidence-based answers to the most common questions on the most probable risk factors to CNS involvement in patients with T-cell lymphoma, the indications and strategies to prevent this life-threating event, and the management of patients with CNS disease.
Subject(s)
Central Nervous System Neoplasms , Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral , Central Nervous System , Central Nervous System Neoplasms/diagnosis , Central Nervous System Neoplasms/epidemiology , Central Nervous System Neoplasms/prevention & control , Humans , Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral/diagnosis , Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral/drug therapy , Methotrexate , PrognosisABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of oral and maxillofacial mature T/NK-cell neoplasms is challenging because of their rarity, morphological heterogeneity and complex immunophenotype with scarce available data describing their clinical and microscopic aspects. Therefore, in this study, we investigated a series of mature T/NK-cell neoplasms affecting this anatomical region and provided an updated literature review. METHODS: Cases diagnosed as mature T/NK-cell lymphomas affecting the oral and maxillofacial region were retrospectively retrieved from six pathology files and their diagnoses were confirmed using haematoxylin and eosin-stained slides, immunohistochemical reactions and in situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) detection. Patients' clinical data were collected from their pathology forms. RESULTS: A total of 22 cases were included in this study. Eleven (50%) consisted of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphomas, nasal type; eight (36.4%) were peripheral T-cell lymphomas, NOS; two (9.1%) were adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphomas, and one (4.5%) was an ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Overall, males predominated, with a mean age of 55.7 years. The palate was the most affected site (50%), and tumours usually presented as destructive and painful ulcers. EBV was present in all cases of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma nasal type but was absent in the other subtypes. CONCLUSION: Among mature T/NK-cell lymphomas of the oral and maxillofacial region, extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type and peripheral T-cell lymphoma, NOS predominated. Older men were the most affected patients, and this heterogeneous group of neoplasms has a very aggressive clinical behaviour.
Subject(s)
Epstein-Barr Virus Infections , Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell , Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral , Adult , Aged , Herpesvirus 4, Human , Humans , Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell/diagnosis , Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral/diagnosis , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
RESUMEN El linfoma extranodal de células T/NK extranasal (NKTL) primario del tracto gastrointestinal es poco frecuente y tiene carácter agresivo. Presentamos el caso de un paciente inmunocompetente de 51 años que ingresa por dolor abdominal de dos meses de evolución. En la colonoscopía, se hallaron ulceraciones ileales, por lo que se le realizaron estudios para descartar enfermedad de Crohn y tuberculosis intestinal, posteriormente presentó obstrucción intestinal. En la laparotomía exploratoria, se encontró un conglomerado ganglionar en mesenterio. La anatomía patológica confirmó el diagnóstico de NKTL primario en íleon. Se inició quimioterapia y el paciente pidió alta voluntaria dada su precaria condición. Dos meses después del alta el paciente fallece. Este linfoma ha sido reportado principalmente en Asia y posiblemente sea el primer caso reportado en Perú. Tiene un pronóstico funesto con una supervivencia global de ocho meses. Por ello, es necesario un diagnóstico precoz e iniciar la terapia oportunamente.
ABSTRACT Primary extranodal Natural Killer / T cell lymphoma (NKTL) on gastrointestinal tract is an uncommon and aggressive neoplasm. We present the case of a 51-year-old immunocompetent patient with a 2-month history of abdominal pain. Colonoscopy findings showed ileal ulcerations, so studies were carried out to rule out Crohn's disease and intestinal tuberculosis. Later, he developed intestinal obstruction. Exploratory laparotomy found a nodal conglomerate in the mesentery. Anatomical pathology confirmed the diagnosis of primary NKTL on the ileum. Chemotherapy was initiated but the patient asked for voluntary discharge because of his precarious condition. Two months after discharge the patient died. This lymphoma has been reported mainly in Asia and is possibly the first case in Peru. It has a dismal prognosis with overall survival of 8 months. Therefore, it is necessary to get an early diagnosis and begin therapy in a timely manner.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell , Ileal Neoplasms , Lymphoma , Peru , Fatal Outcome , Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell/diagnosis , Ileal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Lymphoma/diagnosisABSTRACT
Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTCL-NT) is a lymphoid malignancy that mainly affects the nasopharynx and is associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Increased incidence is seen in some Latin American and Asian countries. In this study, we describe a case series of 86 Guatemalan patients with ENKTCL-NT from a single diagnostic head and neck center. We emphasize the distinctive clinical, microscopic, and immunohistochemical (IHC) features, as well as EBV positivity by in situ hybridization (ISH). Most of the patients (90.6%) were of Mayan descent and low socioeconomic status (SES). Males were more often affected than females, comprising 68.3% of cases. Patient age ranged from 8 to 71, with a mean of 34.7 years. All cases arose in the upper aerodigestive tract and mainly presented as a rapidly progressive, necrotizing midfacial process affecting the nasal, nasopharyngeal, sinonasal, palatal, and oropharyngeal structures. Microscopically, ENKTCL-NT showed a diffuse polymorphic and atypical lymphoid infiltrate. Angiocentric and angiodestructive growth patterns were present with associated necrosis. Peripheral hyaline necrosis of blood vessels was a histologic hallmark. The ISH and IHC profiles included positivity of EBV, LCA, CD3, CD45RO, CD30 (focal in 39.2%), granzyme-B, TIA-1, perforin (in 82.3%), and CD56 (in 83.7%). CD20 was negative, and the Ki-67 index ranged from 70 to 90%. In Guatemala, this lymphoma is strongly associated with people of low SES and indigenous ethnicity. When affected, the palatal mucosa provides the best site to obtain a representative biopsy. Since ENKTCL-NT is highly aggressive, it is extremely important to recognize the spectrum of clinical presentations and microscopic features in order to avoid misdiagnosis and treatment delay.
Subject(s)
Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell/pathology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Female , Guatemala , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GP) is a systemic necrotizing vasculitis with multi-organ involvement that primarily affects the respiratory tract and the kidneys. Fever in these patients is an indicator of activity; however, if it arises in isolation, the physician should exclude other causes. CLINICAL CASE: Male patient admitted due to an unexplained fever and weight loss; it was diagnosed GP by a history of pauci-immune glomerulonephritis, fixed pulmonary nodules and chronic sinusitis of four years of evolution; however, the fever persisted despite treatment and in the absence of infection. It was performed an oropharynx lesion biopsy and the diagnosis was extranodal NK-T-cell lymphoma, nasal type, and positive for CD56 and granzyme. CONCLUSION: Extranodal NK-T-cell lymphoma, nasal type is a rare entity, of poor prognosis, that should be considered as a diagnosis in patients with GP unresponsive to steroid. That is the reason why biopsy of the lesion and immunohistochemistry are required.
Introducción: la granulomatosis con poliangeítis (GP) es una vasculitis sistémica necrosante con afección multiorgánica que afecta principalmente el tracto respiratorio y los riñones. La fiebre en estos pacientes se considera indicador de actividad, pero si se presenta de forma aislada, deben descartarse otras causas. Caso clínico: paciente de sexo masculino que ingresó por fiebre de origen desconocido y pérdida de peso; se le diagnosticó granulomatosis con poliangeítis por antecedente de glomerulonefritis pauciinmune, nódulos pulmonares fijos y sinusitis crónica de cuatro años de evolución; sin embargo, la fiebre persistió a pesar del tratamiento y en ausencia de infección. Se realizó biopsia de úlcera faríngea que reportó linfoma de células T/NK de tipo nasal ulcerado positivo para CD56 y granzima. Conclusión: el linfoma T/NK nasal es una rara entidad, de mal pronóstico, que debe considerarse en pacientes con GP que no responden a esteroide, por lo que requieren biopsia de la lesión e inmunohistoquímica.