Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the sinonasal tract is relatively uncommon and is now recognized as an important cause of destructive lesions of the nose and midface, which show a progressive course. It is this rarity that may cause clinicians to dismiss them as a benign inflammatory infiltrate and may present a considerable diagnostic challenge to the pathologist. AIM: The objective of the present study was to identify epidemiological, clinical and histopathological aspects of the non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the sinonasal tract, correlation site and natural history with histopathological types. STUDY DESIGN: Series review. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study group consisted of seven patients (4 men and 3 women) with clinical diagnosis of sinonasal non-Hodgkin lymphoma seen at the Clinic of the Division of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Sao Paulo, between 1985 and 2003. Patients age ranged from 22 to 54 years (mean: 38,2 years). The patients data obtained were analyzed regarding epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic and outcome factors. RESULTS: The site of tumor, clinical manifestations and natural history of the sinonasal lymphomas of the B-cell phenotype and T/NK cell phenotype were different, so the histopathological diagnosis is very important. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis can be extremely difficult. Biopsy specimens were necessary to establish the diagnosis of each patient. Early diagnosis and efficient therapy must be developed to improve patient outcome.
non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; sinonasal tract; histopathology
