Familial nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma and pesticide use

Familial occurrence of nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma (NNKTCL) in pesticide users is presented. The proband (71 years old, male) and son (39 years old) were both diagnosed with NNKTCL within interval of 26 months, Laboratory data s howed slight anemia, with no abnormal cells in peripheral blood. They and t heir wives were farmers and used large amounts of pesticides (fungicides an d insecticides) in the hothouse. NNKTCL did not develop in the wives. Proba nd's father was diagnosed with malignant lymphoma of the neck and died of t he disease, Genetic analyses of the peripheral blood leukocytes and tumor t issues did not show p53 and k-ras gene mutations and microsatellite instabi lity. Metaphase cells from peripheral blood leukocytes bore specific marker chromosomes (father, 44XY,-14,-17,-18,-22,+2mar; son, 46XY,-17,+1mar). Env ironmental exposures to pesticides in conjunction with familial or genetic factors might increase the risk for NNKTCL, (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.