Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (angiocentric T-cell lymphoma): A review about the terminology

Abstract

Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKL) is a rare lymphoid neoplasm, which in the past has been grouped with a variety of granulomatous diseases. It is an aggressive non-Hodgkin’s type characterized clinically by aggressive, nonrelenting destruction of the midline structures of the palate and nasal fossa. Despite the malignant clinical course, histological diagnosis can be difficult because of extensive tissue necrosis and multiple biopsies that are often required and has an ominous prognosis, as the average survival rate is between 6 and 25 months as reported with a large number of Asian studies. Several American and European studies have shown similar results. This is the case report of a 60-year-old male patient who presented with nasal obstruction and foul smelling, ulcerative lesion over the palate of 6 months duration, which had been treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatories without success. After performing a number of diagnostic tests, it was found histologically and confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis that the patient had an ENKL, nasal type (also known as angiocentric T-cell lymphoma).