Extranodular nasal Natural Killer (NK) Cell/T-cell lymphoma: a diagnostic dilemma

 

Jian Woei TEOH 1, Faridah HASSAN 2, Norazmi GHAZALI 2, Bee See GOH 1

1 Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Universiti Kebangsaan

Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, and 2 Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Hospital Selayang, Selangor, Malaysia

 

ABSTRACT

Diagnosis and treatment of the nasal type of Natural Killer (NK)/T-Cell Lymphoma can be challenging. NK/T-Cell lymphoma of the nasal type is very aggressive and invasive and may present with non-specific symptoms. This usually leads to delay in diagnosis and initiation of treatment. Lymphomatous lesions show areas of necrosis and hence multiple biopsies are usually needed for histopathological diagnosis with the aid of immunochemistry. We report the case of nasal type NK/T-Cell lymphoma in a middle aged lady who presented with unilateral nasal blockage, constitutional symptoms and soft palate perforating ulcer with delay in diagnosis.

 

Keywords: Natural Killer cell, T cell, lymphoma, soft palate, ulcer

 

Correspondence author: Jian Woei TEOH,

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Jalan Yaakob Latiff, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Tel:+60162080887, Fax:+60391456675

E mail: tjwoei@yahoo.com

 

Brunei Int Med J. 2013; 9 (3): 203-206

 

 

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