NASAL T-CELL LYMPHOMA - A CASE PRESENTATION

Nasal lymphoma represents 2.2 to 6.8% of extranodal lymphomas and pres ents a difficult diagnosis due to the variability of cell populations. Lesions may evolve de novo or may develop as a spectrum of midline le thal granuloma (MLG). The majority of extranodal disease is felt to be of B-cell origin, but there is evidence that those associated with ML G are of T-cell origin. We present a case of a 41-year-old jamaican fe male with recurrent lesions of the nasal tip and vestibule beginning a t age 16. Intensive investigation and review of the pathology continue d to show nonspecific granuloma. However, at age 34, the lesion was di agnosed as T-cell lymphoma (HTLV-I related), and a later review of the slides suggests this may have been present as early as 8 years before diagnosis. She received 4000 cGy to the nose and nasopharynx over 25 treatments. Although the question of two small axillary nodes exists, the primary site has been disease free for 7 years.