Mature T/NK-Cell lymphomas of the oral and maxillofacial region: A multi-institutional collaborative study

J Oral Pathol Med. 2021 Jul;50(6):548-557. doi: 10.1111/jop.13205. Epub 2021 Jun 29.

Abstract

Background: The diagnosis of oral and maxillofacial mature T/NK-cell neoplasms is challenging because of their rarity, morphological heterogeneity and complex immunophenotype with scarce available data describing their clinical and microscopic aspects. Therefore, in this study, we investigated a series of mature T/NK-cell neoplasms affecting this anatomical region and provided an updated literature review.

Methods: Cases diagnosed as mature T/NK-cell lymphomas affecting the oral and maxillofacial region were retrospectively retrieved from six pathology files and their diagnoses were confirmed using haematoxylin and eosin-stained slides, immunohistochemical reactions and in situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) detection. Patients' clinical data were collected from their pathology forms.

Results: A total of 22 cases were included in this study. Eleven (50%) consisted of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphomas, nasal type; eight (36.4%) were peripheral T-cell lymphomas, NOS; two (9.1%) were adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphomas, and one (4.5%) was an ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Overall, males predominated, with a mean age of 55.7 years. The palate was the most affected site (50%), and tumours usually presented as destructive and painful ulcers. EBV was present in all cases of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma nasal type but was absent in the other subtypes.

Conclusion: Among mature T/NK-cell lymphomas of the oral and maxillofacial region, extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type and peripheral T-cell lymphoma, NOS predominated. Older men were the most affected patients, and this heterogeneous group of neoplasms has a very aggressive clinical behaviour.

Keywords: T-cell lymphoma; extranodal NK/T-Cell lymphoma; lymphoma; non-hodgkin lymphoma; oral cavity; oropharynx.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections*
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell* / diagnosis
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral* / diagnosis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies