Head and Neck Lymphomas - Diagnostic Difficulties

Abstract

This data demonstrate low sensivity of fine needle aspiration for identification of lymphoma as well as clinical picture is non characteristic.

A rare case of extranodal Hodgkin's lymphoma of the palate

“…Hodgkin's lymphoma usually occurs in young individuals with the third decade being the most common age and a second incidence peak observed at the age of 65. Males are affected significantly more than females, with a M:F ratio of 1.4:1.0. Hence, the age and gender of the patient presented in this case report are consistent with the peak incidences of age and gender for this disease.…”

“…Hodgkin's lymphomas frequently appear as nodal disease often presenting in cervical and mediastinal nodes, rarely involving extranodal sites, whereas over 40% of non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas are extranodal. Non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas often develop in the head and neck region, as it is the second most common incidence site next to the gastrointestinal tract. On the rare occasion of Hodgkin's lymphoma presenting extranodally in the head and neck, the most common site is Waldeyer's ring.…”

A Comparison of Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy and Excisional Biopsy Results in the Diagnosis of Lymphoma Confined to the Head and Neck Region

“…The examination does not aid diagnosis and extends the time before the start of treatment; hence, it may lead to a considerable time delay for patients (1,17).…”

Extranodal Lymphoproliferative Processes and Flow Cytometry

“…Extranodal MALT lymphomas are composed of a diffuse and heterogeneous infiltrate that includes centrocyte-like cells, monocytoid B cells, small lymphocytes, scattered immunoblasts and centroblast-like cells; plasma cells may also be present [25]. The cytological heterogeneity of MALT lymphoma and the concomitant presence of inflammation often lead to diagnostic errors [8]. Other low-grade B-cell lymphomas, such as FL or large-cell lymphomas (DLBCL), may be less difficult to recognize by cytomorphology in the case of a monotonous distribution of small lymphocytes or in the presence of large cells, but can be equally problematic in the case of an insufficient sample or if neoplastic large B cells are poorly represented.…”

“…These studies are a key tool in the diagnosis and classification of mature B-cell lymphomas, also assisting the diagnosis of mature T-/NK cell lymphoid neoplasms [7]. This overview focuses on the application of FC to detect extranodal lymphoproliferative processes, mainly in the head and neck region, which is the second most common region for extranodal lymphomas and where the differential diagnosis between nonneoplastic lesions and lymphomas may show diagnostic difficulties, especially if performed by cytomorphological examination alone [8]. …”