Nasal T-cell lymphoma of the hard palate

The monomorphic clinical aspect of destructive mid-face lesions is characte rised by inflammation, induration and granulomatous transformation. This fe ature can be caused by various infections, toxical noxa, Wegener's Granulom atosis and different neoplasms. The case of a 19 year old patient with EBV associated nasal type T-cell lymphoma located at the hard palate is present ed. The diagnostic approach and difficulties in diagnosing this entity asse ssing by using multiple biopsies, serological and molecularbiological detec tion of EBV association and immunohistochemistry for atypic T-cells are elu cidated. In the presented case the treatment with chemotherapy and irradiat ion following a well-defined therapy concept leaded to a three year recurre nce-free survival so far. The comparison of the key-histological findings a nd the major differential diagnoses is mandatory to establish the final dia gnosis of lymphoma. This is the basement for treating this disease with com bined chemotherapy and irradiation for optimizing survival.