[NK/T-Cell lymphoma of nasopharynx].
OBJECTIVE
Discussion of the clinical and paraclinical features of a rare tumor in the nasopharynx, the NK/T-cell lymphoma, with an emphasis on the implications of Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) in its pathogenesis and prognosis.


METHODS
We report the cases of a woman and a man aged 34 and 48, respectively. Clinical presentation was non-specific and diagnosis was established with deep biopsies under general anesthesia. Immunochemistry and in situ hybridization were positive for Epstein Barr virus in tumor cells in both cases. The patients were first treated with chemotherapy (CHOP regimen), then underwent radiotherapy. The first patient achieved complete response at twenty months follow-up. The second patient presented two recurrences which were treated by chemotherapy. He died from acute renal failure during treatment of the second recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
Diagnosis of NK/T-cell lymphoma may be delayed in the event of non-specific symptoms. Deep biopsies outside necrotic tissue must be obtained. Search for EBV is important as its presence is a factor of poor prognosis.
Mani
R
R
Service d'ORL, CHU Farhat Hached, avenue Ibn Eljazzar Sousse, 4000 Tunisie. mani_radhouana@yahoo.fr
Belcadhi
M
M
Krifa
N
N
Sriha
B
B
Elomri
H
H
Ben Ali
M
M
Abdelkéfi
M
M
Bouzouita
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; D001706:Biopsy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D004317:Doxorubicin; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D016399:Lymphoma, T-Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000821:virology; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000473:pathology; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011239:Prednisolone; D011379:Prognosis; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014750:Vincristine
D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011239:Prednisolone