title: Clinical and otorhinolaryngological aspects of extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma, nasal type.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Extranodal NK/T-Cell lymphoma, nasal type (NKTLN) is a disease that mainly affects the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses. Early nasal symptoms are nonspecific, simulating sinus infection. With disease progression, necrosis of the nasal mucosa increases, hindering histological diagnosis. Thus, multiple biopsies may be necessary until definitive diagnosis. Most studies on NKTLN address the hematological and immunological aspects of the disease.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To present data from a Brazilian quaternary hospital, with emphasis on the clinical aspects of the disease, and to correlate the findings with the most recent literature data.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case study of seven patient files.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients were evaluated on their medical history, number of biopsies necessary, association with Epstein-Barr virus, treatment, and outcome. All patients had nonspecific nasal complaints and underwent at least three cycles of antibiotic therapy. The earlier a biopsy was performed, the fewer biopsies were required to diagnose the disease and start treatment. However, this fact did not translate into better prognosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The otolaryngologist plays a fundamental role in the prognosis of NKTLN and can shorten time between symptom onset and treatment of the patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: marcelmenon@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Marcel Menon
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Miyake
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mariana Vendramini Castrignano de
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Michelle Menon
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Miyake
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Julio Oliva de Almeida
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lidio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Granato
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054391:Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009669:Nose Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis
keywords: Epstein–Barr virus infections; Infecções por vírus Epstein–Barr; Linfoma extranodal de células T-NK; Lymphoma extranodal; NK/T-Cell; Neoplasias nasais; Nose neoplasms