Patterns of Primary Tumor Invasion and Regional Lymph Node Spread Based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Early-Stage Nasal NK/T-cell Lymphoma: Implications for Clinical Target Volume Definition and Prognostic Significance

Phase 2 Clinical Trial of Simultaneous Boost Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy With 3 Dose Gradients in Patients With Stage I-II Nasal Type Natural Killer/T-Cell Lymphoma: Long-Term Outcomes of Survival and Quality of Life

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the treatment results and long-term quality of life in patients with early-stage extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma who were prospectively treated with simultaneous boost intensity modulated radiation therapy (SIB-IMRT) with 3 dose gradients.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Sixty patients with stage I-II nasal cavity natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL) and Waldeyer's ring NKTCL were enrolled in a single-arm, prospective, phase 2 clinical trial from August 2011 to April 2015. All patients were treated with definitive radiation therapy combined with short-course induction chemotherapy. A newly designed SIB-IMRT scheme was uniformly adopted, with 54.6 Gy for the gross tumor volume (GTV) of the primary tumor and GTV of the positive lymph nodes, 50.7 Gy for the high-risk clinical target volume (CTV), and 45.5 Gy for the low-risk CTV, all delivered in 26 daily fractions. Before SIB-IMRT, L-asparaginase-based induction chemotherapy was used in 95.0% (57/60) of patients.

RESULTS

With a median follow-up time of 95.8 months, the 5-year locoregional recurrence-free survival, progression-free survival, and overall survival rates were 83.3%, 81.7%, and 88.3%, respectively. Dosimetric analysis in the first 21 patients showed satisfying conformality for planning target volume of GTV, high-risk CTV, and low-risk CTV, while the organs at risk were well protected. The results of long-term quality-of-life investigations in patients without progression were favorable, and nasal discomfort was the most common symptom. No grade 3 or 4 acute or late toxicities were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The scheme of target volume delineation and dose setting that we designed has favorable clinical effects with mild side effects in treating patients with stage I-II nasal cavity NKTCL and Waldeyer's ring NKTCL.

International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Sinonasal Tumors

BACKGROUND

Sinonasal neoplasms, whether benign and malignant, pose a significant challenge to clinicians and represent a model area for multidisciplinary collaboration in order to optimize patient care. The International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Sinonasal Tumors (ICSNT) aims to summarize the best available evidence and presents 48 thematic and histopathology-based topics spanning the field.

METHODS

In accordance with prior International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology documents, ICSNT assigned each topic as an Evidence-Based Review with Recommendations, Evidence-Based Review, and Literature Review based on the level of evidence. An international group of multidisciplinary author teams were assembled for the topic reviews using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses format, and completed sections underwent a thorough and iterative consensus-building process. The final document underwent rigorous synthesis and review prior to publication.

RESULTS

The ICSNT document consists of four major sections: general principles, benign neoplasms and lesions, malignant neoplasms, and quality of life and surveillance. It covers 48 conceptual and/or histopathology-based topics relevant to sinonasal neoplasms and masses. Topics with a high level of evidence provided specific recommendations, while other areas summarized the current state of evidence. A final section highlights research opportunities and future directions, contributing to advancing knowledge and community intervention.

CONCLUSION

As an embodiment of the multidisciplinary and collaborative model of care in sinonasal neoplasms and masses, ICSNT was designed as a comprehensive, international, and multidisciplinary collaborative endeavor. Its primary objective is to summarize the existing evidence in the field of sinonasal neoplasms and masses.

Outcome and risk prediction of early progression in patients with extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma from the CLCG study

Recently, progression-free survival at 24 months (PFS24) was defined as clinically relevant for patients with extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma. Herein, the clinical data from two independent random cohorts (696 patients each in the primary and validation datasets) were used to develop and validate a risk index for PFS24 (PFS24-RI), and evaluate its ability to predict early progression. Patients achieving PFS24 had a 5-year overall survival (OS) of 95.8%, whereas OS was only 21.2% in those failing PFS24 (P<0.001). PFS24 was an important predictor of subsequent OS, independent of risk stratification. The proportion of patients achieving PFS24 and 5-year OS rates correlated linearly among risk-stratified groups. Based on multivariate analysis of the primary dataset, the PFS24-RI included five risk factors: stage II or III/IV, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score ≥2, primary tumor invasion, and extra-upper aerodigestive tract. PFS24-RI stratified the patients into low-risk (0), intermediate-risk (1-2), high-risk (≥3) groups with different prognoses. Harrell's C-index of PFS24-RI for PFS24 prediction was 0.667 in the validation dataset, indicating a good discriminative ability. PFS24-RI calibration indicated that the actual observed and predicted probability of failing PFS24 agreed well. PFS24-RI provided the probability of achieving PFS24 at an individual patient level.

Risk stratification and prognostic value of multi-modal MRI-based radiomics for extranodal nasal-type NK/T-cell lymphoma

BACKGROUND

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performs well in the locoregional assessment of extranodal nasal-type NK/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTCL). It's important to assess the value of multi-modal MRI-based radiomics for estimating overall survival (OS) in patients with ENKTCL.

METHODS

Patients with ENKTCL in a prospectively cohort were systemically reviewed and all the pretreatment MRI were acquisitioned. An unsupervised spectral clustering method was used to identify risk groups of patients and radiomic features. A nomogram-revised risk index (NRI) plus MRI radiomics signature (NRI-M) was developed, and compared with the NRI.

RESULTS

The 2 distinct type I and II groups of the MRI radiomics signatures were identified. The 5-year OS rates between the type I and type II groups were 87.2% versus 67.3% (P = 0.002) in all patients, and 88.8% versus 69.2% (P = 0.003) in early-stage patients. The discrimination and calibration of the NRI-M for OS prediction demonstrated a better performance than that of either MRI radiomics or NRI, with a mean area under curve (AUC) of 0.748 and 0.717 for predicting the 5-year OS in all-stages and early-stage patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The NRI-M model has good performance for predicting the prognosis of ENKTCL and may help design clinical trials and improve clinical decision making.

The optimal timing of radiotherapy in the combination treatment of limited-stage extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type: an updated meta-analysis

This study was designed to explore the relative efficacy and toxicity of upfront radiotherapy (RT) and late RT in combination treatments for patients with limited-stage extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma nasal type (LS-ENKTL). We searched for clinical trials in the PubMed database that compared upfront RT with late RT in the combined treatment of patients with LS-ENKTL. We systematically evaluated the differences in survival, treatment response, and treatment-related adverse events (AEs) between these two groups. Ten retrospective studies with a total of 1752 patients were included. Upfront RT significantly prolonged the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of patients compared to late RT in combination with chemotherapy (CT) (HR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.59-0.88, P = 0.001 for OS; HR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.41-0.79, P = 0.0007 for PFS). The complete remission (CR) rate in the upfront RT group was superior to that in the late RT group (HR = 1.61, 95% CI 1.09-2.37, P = 0.02). Patients experienced similar local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), objective response rates (ORR), and toxicity between these two arms (P > 0.05 for all) in the analysis of each subgroup. The survival benefit of upfront RT was not correlated with the RT dose, concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) (or not), or the CT regimen (P > 0.05 for all). Without compromises in terms of toxicity, RT dose, and treatment modality, upfront RT can significantly benefit OS, PFS, and CR compared to late RT in combination treatment. These findings verified that the upfront RT regimen is more suitable for patients with LS-ENKTL.

Modern Radiation Therapy for Extranodal Nasal-Type NK/T-cell Lymphoma: Risk-Adapted Therapy, Target Volume, and Dose Guidelines from the International Lymphoma Radiation Oncology Group

In the multidisciplinary management of early-stage extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTCL), with curative intent, radiation therapy is the most efficacious modality and is an essential component of a combined-modality regimen. In the past decade, utilization of upfront radiation therapy and non-anthracycline-based chemotherapy has improved treatment and prognosis. This guideline mainly addresses the heterogeneity of clinical features, principles of risk-adapted therapy, and the role and appropriate design of radiation therapy. Radiation therapy methods (including target volume definition, dose and delivery methods) are crucial for optimizing cure for patients with early-stage ENKTCL. The application of the principles of involved site radiation therapy in this lymphoma entity often leads to a more extended clinical target volume (CTV) than in other lymphoma types because it usually presents with primary tumor invasion, multifocal lesions, or extensive submucosal infiltration beyond the macroscopic disease. The CTV varies across different primary sites and is classified mainly into nasal, nonnasal upper aerodigestive tract (UADT), and extra-UADT entities. This review is a consensus of the International Lymphoma Radiation Oncology Group regarding the approach to radiation therapy, target-volume definition, optimal dose, and dose constraints in ENKTCL treatment.

The promising outcome with simultaneous integrated boost intensity modulated radiotherapy in confined nasal extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma

The study aimed to retrospectively analyze the prognosis of patients with stage IE nasal extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL) with dose reduction to clinical target volume (CTV) by using simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiotherapy (SIB-IMRT). Forty-four patients were reviewed retrospectively. The prescribed dose was 45 Gy/25 fractions for extended involved-field site and 50-55 Gy/25 fractions for primary tumor site by using SIB-IMRT. The 5-year overall survival (OS), local control (LC) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 81.2%, 93.0%, and 78.8%, respectively. The complete response (CR) rate was 85.4% (37/44). Three patients (6.8%) patients had local failure and 3 (6.8%) patients developed systemic failure. There was only one patient had grade 3 mucositis and 2 patients had grade 3 or grade 4 hematologic toxicities. For patients with stage IE nasal ENKTL, appropriate dose reduction to CTV by SIB-IMRT strategy is feasible and safe with a promising outcome.

Validation of nomogram-revised risk index and comparison with other models for extranodal nasal-type NK/T-cell lymphoma in the modern chemotherapy era: indication for prognostication and clinical decision-making

Derived from our original nomogram study by using the risk variables from multivariable analyses in the derivation cohort of 1383 patients with extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal-type (ENKTCL) who were mostly treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy, we propose an easily used nomogram-revised risk index (NRI), validated it and compared with Ann Arbor staging, the International Prognostic Index (IPI), Korean Prognostic Index (KPI), and prognostic index of natural killer lymphoma (PINK) for overall survival (OS) prediction by examining calibration, discrimination, and decision curve analysis in a validation cohort of 1582 patients primarily treated with non-anthracycline-based chemotherapy. The calibration of the NRI showed satisfactory for predicting 3- and 5-year OS in the validation cohort. The Harrell’s C-index and integrated Brier score (IBS) of the NRI for OS prediction demonstrated a better performance than that of the Ann Arbor staging system, IPI, KPI, and PINK. Decision curve analysis of the NRI also showed a superior outcome. The NRI is a promising tool for stratifying patients with ENKTCL into risk groups for designing clinical trials and for selecting appropriate individualized treatment.

Prognostic Nomogram for Overall Survival in Early Stage Extranodal Natural Killer/T Cell Lymphoma Treated With High-Dose Radiotherapy

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to develop a prognostic nomogram for early stage extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKL) treated with high-dose radiotherapy (RT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 81 patients at 2 cancer centers with stage I to IIE ENKL who received chemotherapy (CT) and high-dose RT were retrospectively analyzed. The development of the nomogram was on the basis of the Cox proportional hazards model. We implemented the concordance index (C-index) and performed a calibration curve to determine its predictive and discriminatory capacity and compared our nomogram with the International Prognostic Index (IPI) and the Korean Prognostic Index (KPI).

RESULTS

The nomogram included 4 important variables and used a multivariate analysis: lactate dehydrogenase, primary tumor invasion, tumor response, and CT regimen. The 5-year OS rate and progression-free survival were 64.7% and 57.5%, respectively for the entire group. The C-index of the nomogram for overall survival (OS) prediction was 0.87, and it was superior to the predictive power of the IPI and KPI. The calibration curve showed that the nomogram accurately predicted the 5-year OS.

CONCLUSION

The proposed nomogram could provide an individualized risk estimate of the OS for early stage ENKL treated with CT and high-dose RT.

Risk-adapted survival benefit of IMRT in early-stage NKTCL: a multicenter study from the China Lymphoma Collaborative Group

This study evaluated the survival benefit of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) compared with 3-dimension conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) in a large national cohort of patients with early-stage extranodal nasal-type natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL). This retrospective study reviewed patients with early-stage NKTCL treated with high-dose radiation therapy (RT; ≥45 Gy) at 16 Chinese institutions. Patients were stratified into 1 of 4 risk groups based on the number of risk factors: low risk (no factors), intermediate-low risk (1 factor), intermediate-high risk (2 factors), and high-risk (3-5 factors). Of the 1691 patients, 981 (58%) received IMRT, and 710 (42%) received 3D-CRT. Unadjusted 5-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 75.9% and 67.6%, respectively, for IMRT compared with 68.9% (P = .004) and 58.2% (P < .001), respectively, for 3D-CRT. After propensity score match and multivariable analyses to account for confounding factors, IMRT remained significantly associated with improved OS and PFS. The OS and PFS benefits of IMRT persisted in patients treated with modern chemotherapy regimens. Compared with 3D-CRT, IMRT significantly improved OS and PFS for high-risk and intermediate-high-risk patients but provided limited benefits for low-risk or intermediate-low-risk patients. A risk-adapted survival benefit profile of IMRT can be used to select patients and make treatment decisions.

Differentiation between sinonasal natural killer/T-cell lymphomas and diffuse large B-cell lymphomas by RESOLVE DWI combined with conventional MRI

OBJECTIVE

To explore the feasibility of using RESOLVE DWI combined with conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to discriminate between sinonasal NKTLs and DLBCLs and to investigate the correlation between ADC value and Ki-67 expression in the two subtypes of NHLs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty patients with NKTLs and twenty-six patients with DLBCLs in the sinonasal region who were confirmed by histopathology underwent high-resolution DWI and conventional MRI. The apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) and conventional MRI features associated with NKTLs and DLBCLs were compared using multivariate logistic regression. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed, and the area under the curve (AUC) values for conventional MRI and MRI in combination with DWI were compared to determine the diagnostic performances of the approaches in the differentiation of NKTLs and DLBCLs. Spearman's rank correlations were used to analyze the correlation between ADC value with the higher AUC and Ki-67 expression.

RESULTS

For conventional MRI, localization in the nasal cavity and poor or moderate enhancement indicated an NKTL, whereas localization in the paranasal sinus and intense enhancement indicated a DLBCL, with sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve(AUC)value of 88.5%, 85.0% and 0.883, respectively. A combination with a cut-off ADC value of 0.646 × 10^-3 mm²/s yielded sensitivity, specificity and AUC values of 100.0%, 80.0% and 0.951, respectively. A significant difference between the AUCs for conventional MRI and MRI in combination with DWI (p = 0.02) was identified. Ki-67 expression of NKTLs was significantly lower than that of DLBCLs (p < 0.001). Besides, there was an inversely poor correlation between them in the overall sample (r = -0.395, p < 0.001). However, the ADC value was not significantly correlated with Ki-67 LI in neither NKTLs nor DLBCLs (both p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Location and enhancement degree were the most valuable conventional MRI features for differentiating between NKTLs and DLBCLs. A combination of DWI and MRI could significantly improve the differential performance. ADC values may be used to noninvasively evaluate the proliferation level of sinonasal NHLs.

Prognostic significance of locally invaded sites and tissue types in patients with nasal extranodal natural-killer/T-cell lymphoma: a single-center retrospective analysis

Background:

Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL), nasal type, is an aggressive entity within the World Health Organization classification of lymphoid tumors. The International Prognostic Index is reported to be prognostically meaningful for ENKTL, but lacks discriminatory power for stage I/II ENKTL with extensive local invasion. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic effects of local invasion by site and tissue type in patients with ENKTL.

Methods:

We retrospectively analyzed data of 86 patients who were diagnosed with ENKTL by the Department of Pathology of Beijing Tongren Hospital from June 2002 to April 2016, and ascertained tumor infiltration of adjacent structures (AS), bone, and soft tissue for each patient, using physical findings and imaging scans. We used univariate and multivariate analysis to assess the association of each involved tissue or site with patients’ overall survival (OS).

Results:

Of the 86 patients, 71 (82.6%) experienced invasion of AS, 22 (25.6%) of soft tissue, and 26 (30.2%) had bone involvement. Overall, patients with AS involvement did not show significantly shorter survival than those without AS involvement (Log rank χ² = 1.177, P = 0.278); however, patients who had involved eyeballs or brains showed significantly lower 2-year OS rates than those without eyeball involvement (Log rank χ² = 4.105, P = 0.043) or brain involvement (Log rank χ² = 7.126, P = 0.008). Patients with involved local soft tissue or bones, respectively, showed lower 2-year OS rates than those without involved local soft tissue (Log rank χ² = 10.390, P = 0.001) or bones (Log rank χ² = 8.993, P = 0.003). Multivariate analysis showed that involvement of the cheek or facial muscles (hazard ratio, HR = 5.471, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.466–20.416, P = 0.011) and the maxilla bone (HR = 6.120, 95% CI: 1.517–24.694, P = 0.011) were significantly independent predictors of lower 2-year OS rates.

Conclusions:

Imaging can accurately detect ENKTL invasion of AS, soft tissue, and bone. Involvement of local soft tissue or bone was significantly associated with lower 2-year OS rates. Involvements of the cheek or facial muscle, as well as maxilla bone, are independent predictors of lower 2-year OS rates in ENKTL patients.

Epstein-Barr Virus-Positive Natural Killer/T-Cell Lymphoma

Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKL), is a rare malignancy of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma characterized by an aggressive clinical course and poor prognosis. It shows strong association with Epstein-Barr virus infection and occurs more commonly in Asia and Latin America. Various genetic alterations have been identified in ENKL by gene expression profiling and sequencing techniques. The frequent deletion of chromosome 6q21 was reported to lead to the silence of several tumor suppressor genes. Also, there have been novel genetic mutations that were recently uncovered and were found to frequently activate several oncogenic pathways, including the JAK/STAT, NF-κB, and MAPK pathways. Besides, we believe that deregulated single genes and epigenetic dysregulation might be relevant to the mechanism of this disease and thus, may have the potential to shed lights on the development of new therapeutic strategies. The consensus on the standard treatment for ENKL has not yet been currently established. For localized ENKL patients, radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy and sequential patterns of chemotherapy and radiotherapy are recommended as first-line therapy. As for advanced or relapsed/refractory ENKL patients, the application of non-anthracycline-containing regimens have significantly improved the clinical outcome, contributing to higher response rate, longer overall survival and progression-free survival. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is widely recommended for consolidation after a complete remission or partial remission has been achieved. The anti-programmed death 1 antibody, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, has demonstrated favorable results in treating relapsed or refractory ENKL. Of the current ENKL treatment, researchers are still striving to validate how radiotherapy and chemotherapy should be optimally combined and which of the non-anthracycline-containing regimens is superior. In this review, we summarize the main genetic alterations frequently found in ENKL and their role in providing new insights into the therapeutic targets of this disease, and highlight the recent findings regarding new biologic markers, novel therapeutic strategies applied to this intriguing neoplasm.

Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma in adolescents: imaging findings of a consecutive 7-year case series

Objectives

Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma is reportedly a rare but emerging type of lymphoma in adolescents. The present study was performed to specify its imaging characteristics.

Methods

Our hospital’s picture archiving and communication systems were searched from January 2009 to December 2016. We identified 13 patients aged <18 years with pathologically confirmed extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma in the head and neck region. The computed tomography and magnetic resonance images were reviewed to summarize the imaging characteristics of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma in adolescents.

Results

The mean age at onset was 15.2 ± 1.46 years (range, 12–17 years) with a male:female ratio of 1.17:1.00. Most of the patients (n = 10) displayed nasal cavity and/or paranasal involvement. The tumor was homogeneous in both computed tomography and magnetic resonance images and showed slight enhancement. No calcification or liquefactive necrosis was observed. Adjacent structures were usually involved.

Conclusion

Suggestive imaging characteristics could acquaint specialists with extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma in adolescents, facilitating improved early recognition of the diagnosis and helping to improve the patient’s outcome.

A Multicenter Retrospective Comparison of Sequential versus Sandwich Chemoradiotherapy for Stage IE-IIE Extranodal Natural Killer/T-Cell Lymphoma, Nasal Type

Background: Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are critical for treating early-stage extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTL); however, the optimal therapy sequence remains unclear. Therefore, we performed this study to compare the efficacy of L-asparaginase/pegaspargase-based sequential versus sandwich chemoradiotherapy for patients newly diagnosed with stage IE-IIE ENKTL.

Methods: Patients were categorized into sequential (N = 111) and sandwich (N = 104) groups. Chemotherapy regimens included GELOX, SMILE, and VLP. The median radiotherapy dose was 55.0 Gy (range, 40.0-63.0 Gy). Adverse events, treatment responses, and survival outcomes were analyzed.

Results: Patients' clinical characteristics were largely comparable between the 2 groups; however, the sandwich group comprised a larger number of Ann Arbor stage IIE patients. Local invasion was the most significant predictor of overall survival (OS); local invasion and Ann Arbor stage were significant predictors of progression-free survival (PFS). There were no significant differences in the complete response rate (85.6% vs. 89.4%, p = 0.396), 3-year OS (77.5% vs. 80.8%, p = 0.636), or 3-year PFS rates (74.8% vs. 76.9%, p = 0.806) in the sequential vs. sandwich groups, respectively. The incidence of grade 3/4 hematological toxicities was higher in the sandwich group than in the sequential group (27.9% vs. 15.3%, respectively, p = 0.025). The response rates and survival outcomes in stage IE and IIE patients did not differ between sequential and sandwich groups.

Conclusions: In the era of L-asparaginase/pegaspargase, both sequential and sandwich chemoradiotherapy are safe and similarly effective in patients with newly diagnosed stage IE-IIE ENKTL.

Oral and maxillofacial non-Hodgkin lymphomas: Case report with review of literature

RATIONALE

Lymphomas take up about 14% of all head-neck malignancies, out of which 97% are non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL). The clinical courses, treatment responses, and prognoses of NHLs vary with different subtypes and anatomic sites. In the Chinese population (including the Taiwanese), head-neck NHLs are often seen with the tonsils, nasal cavity, nasal sinus, and the nasopharynx. However, oral NHLs are relatively rare. Delay of diagnosis is also often seen in clinical practice. Thus, we present 4 cases with delayed diagnosis of oral maxillofacial NHLs and discuss their clinical manifestations so as to draw a clue that can remind the doctors to take biopsies in time.

PATIENT CONCERNS

Four cases, including 3 males and 1 female aged between 43 and 70 years old with oral lesions (ulcerations and/or masses) and accompanying cervical lymphadenopathies and/or skin erythemas presented to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China from January 2010 to January 2015.

DIAGNOSES

The diagnoses of non-Hodgkin lymphomas were made by pathology, including nasal type extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, mycosis fungoides, subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma, and extranodal marginal B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphatic tissue. Their clinical courses until confirmed diagnosis varied between 2 months and 1 year and the follow-up/survival time from diagnosis ranged between 2 and 24 months. None of the biopsies was taken at the patients' initial medical consultations.

INTERVENTIONS

Cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (CHOP) and Rituximab, CHOP (R-CHOP) regimens were given to 2 (Cases 1 and 4) and 1 patient (Case 3), respectively. One patient refused further treatment.

OUTCOMES

Two patients, including the one who refused treatment, died at 2-2.5 months from diagnosis. The other two patients survived until their last follow-ups at 13 and 24 months from diagnosis, respectively.

LESSONS

Oral lesions with aggressive growth patterns, multiple lymphadenopathies, and comorbid systemic skin lesions, elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase and poor response to medical therapies should warn the doctors of the possibility of malignancy and the necessity of biopsy. Excisional biopsy without sacrificing organs or functions should be preserved for patients whose pathological diagnoses cannot be established through aspiration or punch biopsy.