Two young patients with extranodal natural killer/T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, nasal-type (ENKTL-NT) masquerading inflammatory processes

Abstract

Extranodal natural-killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL) is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. However, it is common in Asia and South America. ENKTL, nasal type (ENKTL-NT), predominantly presents initial unspecific clinical manifestations involving the nasal cavity and its adjacent structures. We present two cases to increase the awareness of the ENKTL-NT cases masquerading inflammatory processes. Although the main clinical feature is a rapidly progressive facial destruction, none of these patients experienced the mentioned complaint. Its various manifestations frequently lead to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment, particularly in those with marked ocular, not nasal symptoms. Our patients were previously diagnosed with inflammatory conditions, namely sinusitis, idiopathic orbital inflammation, dacryocystitis, and orbital cellulitis. The combined approach of chemotherapy and radiotherapy has been proposed as the treatment of choice. Both cases showed young adults treated with combined therapy, yet showing poor outcomes. Clinicians should be aware of its existence and have to consider ENKTL-NT as one of the differential diagnoses in sinonasal or orbital inflammatory cases with unusually rapid progression or unresponsive to treatment.