Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Arising from the Nasopharynx

Abstract

The majority of nodal or extranodal lymphomas of the head and neck are Non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHL). Most ofthem are B-cell tumors. T-cell tumors and rarely natural killer cell tumors are the other subgroups. Diffuse large celllymphoma is the most frequently seen type of B-cell NHL and is followed by follicular lymphoma. Small lymphocytic lymphoma is another subtype of B-cell NHL, representing 5%-10% of all NHL. The treatment is performed withradiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, depending on the stage of the disease. In this study, we present the case of a62-year-old female diagnosed with B-cell small lymphocytic lymphoma arising from the nasopharynx. The patientdescribed as Stage 1E according to the Ann Arbor staging system was referred to the hematology/oncology clinic.Radiotherapy was selected as the treatment modality. There was no mass observed on endoscopic and radiologicexaminations, which were performed 24 months after treatment.