Lymphomas of the head and neck 1: Nasofacial T-cell lymphoma

Nasofacial T-cell lymphoma includes diseases otherwise called “lethal midline granuloma” and “necrosis with atypical cells”. It is characterised by relentless destruction of nose and palate in particular but the lymphoma remains localised to the head and neck. The age of onset ranges from 10 to 87 and the survival ranges from a few months to several years. The histological appearances are of a polymorphic infiltrate but including atypical T cells in a background of macrophages. There is a strong association with Epstein-Barr virus infection.