Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck in patients with well-differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma

Abstract

Seventy-six cases of well-differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma (WDLL) were reviewed for evidence of additional malignancies. Of these, 18 patients (24%) had one to three further tumors; one half (nine) had squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The head and neck area was the primary site in all but one case of SCC. The carcinomas were frequently multiple, recurrent, and clinically aggressive. The tumors showed unusually poor differentiation histologically. Actinic keratosis and basal cell carcinomas were frequently associated with SCC. Fifty percent metastasized to cervical lymph nodes replaced by WDLL. Lymphadenopathy due to metastatic SCC may be mistaken for malignant lymphoma alone. In two of five patients (40%), death was directly attributable to SCC. As in renal transplant recipients, SCC of the head and neck in WDLL patients is a common cause of significant complications and mortality requiring aggressive management. Immunosuppression due to WDLL and/or to chemotherapy is likely an important predisposing factor in combination with sun exposure.

Carcinoma metastasis to unexpected synchronous lymphoproliferative disorder: report of three cases and review of literature

“…Cancers of the breast and skin are among those reported to metastasise to nodes involved by lymphoma. [6][7][8] Cutaneous tumours associated with lymphoproliferative disorders have been documented in the literature. 4 9 Recently, Merkel cell carcinoma has been described in patients with CLL.…”

Histopathological Variants of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Review

“…Finally, host immunosuppression can greatly increase the likelihood of SCC development, recurrence, and malignant spread [69–72]. Suppression may be due to an underlying malignancy, the active use of immunosuppresive agents during transplant therapy, or infection with HIV.…”

The spectrum of coincident entities with small lymphocytic lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukemia (SLL/CLL) diagnosed by cytology

“…[630] Our study showed that the most common carcinoma arising with SLL/CLL was squamous cell carcinoma, which has also been reported in the past. [171920] The occurrence of these secondary tumors in SLL/CLL patients may be due to the good prognosis associated with an indolent lymphoma leading to long survival and sporadic occurrence of other tumors, particularly in older patients. Other possible etiologies include genetic predispositions, environmental factors and the potentially immunosuppressive role of the lymphoma itself or the treatment modalities used.…”