Nasal and nasal-type natural killer T-cell lymphoma

Nasal and nasal-type natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphomas follow an aggress ive course and have a poor prognosis. Recent pathologic studies suggest tha t the disease is a malignant proliferation of NK cells, which often express CD56. An association with the Epstein-Barr virus has also been reported. S kin involvement occurred in each of the 3 patients studied. Radiation thera py provided some benefit to the patients in the early stages. Conventional chemotherapies were not effective. To overcome this multiple-drug resistanc e of the tumor cells, cyclosporine and high-dose chemotherapy was combined with peripheral-blood stem-cell transplantation, The average life span from the onset of the disease for our patients was 9.6 months. Further improvem ent in the management of nasal and nasal-type NK/T-cell lymphomas is necess ary.