Primary tonsillar lymphomas according to the new World Health Organization classification: to report 87 cases and literature review and analysis

Primary Palatine Tonsil Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Western Romania: A Comparison of Lower-Stage and Advanced-Stage Disease

Background: Limited data exist on primary palatine tonsil Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) from regions with constrained healthcare access. This study investigated this malignancy in Western and South-Western Romania, comparing lower-stage (Ann-Arbor I-III) and advanced-stage (IV) disease. Methods: A retrospective cohort study (2010-2019) at a tertiary referral hospital included 59 patients with primary palatine tonsil NHL. Data on demographics, clinical presentation, comorbidities (including viral hepatitis B/C), histology, International Prognostic Index (IPI) score, treatment, and outcomes were collected. Statistical comparisons between lower-stage (n = 26) and advanced-stage (n = 33) groups were performed. Results: A high proportion presented with advanced-stage disease (55.9%). The advanced-stage group had significantly more B symptoms (90.9% vs. 69.2%, p = 0.038) and elevated LDH levels (93.9% vs. 57.7%, p = 0.013). Viral hepatitis B and/or C infection was more frequent in advanced-stage disease (30.3% vs. 15.4%, p = 0.44). Combined chemoradiotherapy was more commonly used in lower-stage disease (38.46% vs. 12.12%, p = 0.019). There was no statistically significant difference in relapse rates between the groups. Conclusions: This study highlights the substantial burden of advanced-stage primary palatine tonsil NHL in Western Romania, suggesting a need for improved early detection. The association between viral hepatitis and advanced-stage, although not statistically significant, warrants further investigation. These findings may inform tailored management approaches in resource-constrained settings.

A rare development of classical Hodgkin lymphoma in the head and neck region: Case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) is characterized by a proliferation of malignant cells of the lymphoreticular system and often involves lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and bone marrow; it is rare in the head and neck region.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 58-year-old man had an enlargement with ulceration in the left palatine tonsil that was causing dysphagia. Microscopic examination revealed an infiltrate of large, atypical lymphoid cells positive for cluster of differentiation 30, cluster of differentiation 15, PAX5, and Epstein-Barr virus. Complementary tests initially ruled out other sites of the disease. The results led to diagnosis of a rare development of CHL in the palatine tonsil, which was staged as IIEB. Before therapy was initiated, nodal lesions developed in the neck and the CHL was restaged as IIB. The patient was treated successfully with a regimen of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine. After a review of the literature, the authors found only 3 cases with the clinical, imaging, and microscopic features of primary CHL of the palatine tonsil.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Despite being a rare event, CHL may first develop in extranodal sites, such as the palatine tonsil. In this context, the role of the dentist is pivotal for early diagnosis of the disease. Investigations into the development of primary tonsillar CHL in the oropharynx are needed because the disease has a different clinical course than nodal lesions.

Ultrasound features of primary non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma of the palatine tonsil: A case report

BACKGROUND

Lymphomas are the second most common malignancy of the head and neck. In this region, the vast majority of extranodal lymphomas are located in the palatine tonsil, accounting for about 51%. Tonsillar lymphomas are aggressive tumors with intermediate- or high-grade histology. We here report a case of primary non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma of the palatine tonsil and analyze its ultrasound features.

CASE SUMMARY

A 40-year-old man presented with right palatine tonsil swelling for 2 mo after a cold, accompanied by dysphagia, snoring, and suffocation. He had no sore throat, fever, or history of upper respiratory tract infection or tuberculosis. The patient was generally in good health and denied other diseases. He was diagnosed with acute tonsillitis initially and treated with antibiotics for 7 d. However, there was no improvement with the treatment. Tonsil biopsy and ultrasound-guided biopsy of the biggest lymph node of the right neck showed the typical pathology of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

CONCLUSION

Primary lymphoma of the tonsils is rare, and its diagnosis is challenging. Ultrasound is a useful modality in diagnosing oropharyngeal diseases, and can clearly show the features of this tumor, but the final diagnosis should be established by histology.

Palatine Tonsils Primary Presentation of Blastoid Variant of Mantle Cell Lymphoma: Case Report

Head and neck lymphomas can present with a wide range of symptoms. Timely and accurate diagnosis is often challenging. The blastoid variant of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) accounts for less than one-third of all MCL cases. Isolated primary presentation on the palatine tonsils is rare, and prognosis and outcome are seemingly unfavorable. An 81-year-old man presented with persistent odynophagia, dysphagia, and obstructive hypertrophic palatine tonsils with purulent exudate. The signs and symptoms were non-responsive to antibiotic therapy, and the tonsils were biopsied. The cellular morphology, immunophenotype, and genotype supported a diagnosis of the blastoid variant of MCL. After staging, the patient underwent chemotherapy with Rituximab-Bendamustine (R-Benda). The patient is in clinical remission more than two years after therapy. We report an exceedingly rare case of blastoid MCL that is prone to be misdiagnosed as tonsillitis. We review the literature and discuss treatment options of this uncommon malignancy.

Is tonsillectomy mandatory for asymmetric tonsils in children? A review of our diagnostic tonsillectomy practice and the literature

INTRODUCTION

Diagnostic tonsillectomy is performed to exclude malignancy. It is associated with a post-operative hemorrhage rate of 3.5%, (1) which is more dangerous in small children. No previous case series for asymmetrical tonsils have detected tonsil lymphoma.(2-6) We aimed to review our local diagnostic tonsillectomy practice.

METHOD

The authors reviewed the clinical notes and histological results for all diagnostic tonsillectomies carried out from June 2013 to June 2016.

RESULTS

We recorded data for 168 patients. There were four post-operative bleeds and one return to theatre. Bilateral tonsillectomies accounted for 152 operations (90.5%). Lymphoid hyperplasia accounted for 95% of histological diagnosis with no malignancies found. Pre-operative tonsil grading demonstrated no statistically significant association with histological tonsil weight difference (ANOVA p = 0.10). Actinomyces colonisation had little affect on tonsil weight difference when we compared patients with bilateral colonisation and no colonisation (t-test p = 0.540) and between tonsils in patients with unilateral tonsil Actinomyces colonisation (paired t-test p = 0.448). Recurrent tonsillitis was more prevalent in patients with Actinomyces colonisation than OSA/sleep disordered breathing (39% vs 15%).

CONCLUSION

A literature search yielded five smaller case series of palatine tonsil asymmetry in children with no malignancy found.(2-6) Case-control studies report tonsillar asymmetry as the most common presenting symptom (73%) in tonsillar lymphoma.(7) This enlargement usually occurs rapidly within 6 weeks with new obstructive or systemic B-type symptoms.(3) A Turkish epidemiological study found asymmetrical tonsils in 1.7% of the healthy paediatric population.(8) We therefore estimate there to be over 210,000 children with asymmetrical tonsils in the UK. With an unreliable grading system, we believe asymmetrical tonsils in isolation, unchanged for over 6 weeks may not warrant tonsillectomy.

Analysis of treatment outcomes for primary tonsillar lymphoma

Purpose

Although each Waldeyer’s ring sub-site is considered an independent prognostic factor, few studies have assessed the prognosis and treatment of tonsillar lymphoma. Treatment outcomes were analyzed in patients with primary tonsillar lymphoma who were treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy (RT).

Materials and Methods

Nineteen patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma were evaluated, with a median follow-up of 53 months. Age, sex, and histology, amongst other factors, were reviewed. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were analyzed.

Results

Most patients had Ann Arbor stage I-II (94.7%), IPI score of 0 (89.5%), and complete remission after chemotherapy (89.5%). The 5-year PFS and OS rates were 74.6% and 80%, respectively. In univariate analysis, the rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) regimen resulted in a better PFS than the cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) regimen (88.9% vs. 50.0%; p = 0.053). RT dose was related to the survival outcome (p = 0.010 for PFS, p = 0.044 for OS). Patients were classified into the CHOP + RT (>40 Gy) group and R-CHOP + RT (≤40 Gy) group. The 5-year PFS rates were 50% in the CHOP + RT group, and 100 % in the R-CHOP + RT group (p = 0.018). The 5-year OS rates were 66.7% and 100%, respectively (p = 0.087).

Conclusion

Primary tonsillar lymphoma patients typically have favorable outcomes. Chemotherapy (R-CHOP) combined with relatively lower dose consolidative RT may be safe and effective for primary tonsillar lymphoma.

Dosimetric and Clinical Outcomes With Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy After Chemotherapy for Patients With Early-Stage Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma of Waldeyer Ring

PURPOSE

To assess the dosimetric benefit, prognosis, and toxicity of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for early-stage, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of Waldeyer ring (WR-DLBCL).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Sixty-one patients with early-stage WR-DLBCL who received chemotherapy followed by IMRT were retrospectively reviewed. Dosimetric parameters for the target volume and critical normal structures were evaluated, and survival was calculated. Linear regression analysis was used to assess the effect of the mean dose (Dmean) to the parotid glands on xerostomia.

RESULTS

The median conformity index and homogeneity index of the planning target volume (PTV) were 0.83 and 0.90, respectively, demonstrating very good coverage of the target volume. The mean dose to the parotid glands was 24.9 Gy. The 5-year overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and locoregional control (LRC) were 94.7%, 93.1%, and 98.3%, respectively. Early and late toxicities were mild, and no patient experienced late grade ≥3 toxicities. The Dmean to the parotid glands had a linear correlation with late grade ≥2 xerostomia.

CONCLUSIONS

IMRT after chemotherapy can provide excellent dose conformity and achieve favorable survival and LRC with mild toxicities in patients with early-stage WR-DLBCL. Dose constraints for the parotid glands should be limited to <24 Gy for early-stage WR-DLBCL.

[Extranodal lymphomas in adults in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county, Hungary. Analysis of 30 years' epidemiologic data]

INTRODUCTION

In their previous work, the authors reported 27-year' findings on the epidemiology of extranodal lymphomas in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county, Hungary. There are no other studies on this topic available in Hungary.

AIM

The aim of this study was to analyse in detail the epidemiologic data of patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who were recorded in the leukaemia/lymphoma registry of Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county during a 30-year period, to compare the main epidemiologic features of the extranodal and nodal forms, and compare the results with data reported in the international literature.

METHOD

Between January 1, 1983 and December 31, 2012, 1123 adult patients with newly diagnosed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were recorded in the leukaemia/lymphoma registry of Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county. Of those, 347 patients suffered from extranodal, and 776 patients from nodal form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The authors compared the incidence of the extranodal and nodal forms, the age and sex distribution of patients, the ratio of B- and T-cell, as well as the indolent and aggressive forms, the geographic distribution and the association with carcinomas. In addition, they studied the occurrence of familial appearance and the localisation of extranodal forms.

RESULTS

The occurrence of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas indicated an increasing tendency in their county. This tendency was true for both the extranodal and nodal forms, but it was more remarkable in the extranodal form of lymphomas. They found no substantial difference between the main epidemiologic features of the two forms. The gastrointestinal tract was the most frequent site of presentation for extranodal lymphomas.

CONCLUSIONS

These observations are in line with data reported in the international literature. The data are essentially similar to those published in populations from Western European countries and the United States.