Localised Extranodal Lymphoma of the Head and Neck: The Sheffield Lymphoma Group Experience (1971–2000)

Aims: Over the 30-year period from 1971–2000, 3750 cases of lymphoma were referred to the Sheffield Lymphoma Group for investigation and treatment. Of these, 580 were extranodal presentations and, of these, 190 (33%) were localised to the head and neck region. The aim of this lymphoma database review was to evaluate the patient characteristics and survival rates for these patients. Materials and methods: The sample included 98 women and 92 men, with a median age at presentation of 65 years. Results: The most common site affected was tonsil (34%), followed by salivary glands (16%). Other common sites were the thyroid, orbit and nasopharynx. The most frequent presenting feature was a swelling or mass, with pain, dysphagia and nasal obstruction also comprising large groups. All cases were non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Fifty-five cases were histological grade 1; 132 were grade 2. Diffuse large B cell was the most common histological subtype. The overall 5- and 10-year survival rates were 55% (95% CI 47–62) and 44% (95% CI 36–53), respectively, with a median survival of 92 months (95% CI 56–128). Stage and grade were both found to influence survival. Conclusion: This data concords with and extends information available from previous studies. More detail is now required on specific head and neck sites.