Head and neck lymphomas from otolaryngology perspective

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the clinical manifestations, histopathologic composition, and demographic characteristics of the lymphomas presented in the head and neck. Materials and Methods: Records of subjects who had a diagnosis of lymphoma by an otolaryngology clinic in a tertiary referral hospital between May 2007 and July 2017 were reviewed. Demographic features and data regarding histopathology, radiology, and clinical presentation were evaluated. Results: A total of 103 lymphomas in the head and neck region, 79 (77%) nodal lymphoma, and 24 (23%) extranodal lymphoma, were diagnosed. The initial presentation was solitary lymphadenopathy in 12 (15%) of the nodal lymphomas but conglomerated or multiple lymphadenopathies in the others. No significant relationship was found between lymph node size and histopathology (p=0.144). Extranodal lymphomas presented most commonly in tonsils (n=8, 33%). Hodgkin lymphoma to non-Hodgkin lymphoma ratio was 0.8 (35/44) among nodal lymphomas. The dominant subgroup of non-Hodgkin lymphomas was diffuse large b-cell lymphoma (n=18, 40%). All of the Hodgkin lymphomas in our series were classic variant, and the subjects were younger than the non-Hodgkin lymphomas (z=-4.803, p