Clinical manifestation and diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in head and neck : Analysis of 138.

PURPOSE: To analyze the clinical features, pathological classification, causes of misdiagnosis, treatment and prognosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) originated in head and neck and to afford experience in early diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: The clinical manifestation , treatment and prognosis of 138 cases of primary head and neck NHL were studied retrospectively. RESULTS: The incidence in male was higher than that in female (male :female=l.26:l) . Among non- Hodgkin's lymphomas, 86.2% were neoplasms originating from B lymphocytes, which was remarkably higher than those originating from T lymphocyte (13.8%). The early symptom was mainly painless mass (71.7%). The primary, location was in the following order: cervical region, submandibular region , parotid gland, skin of face, maxilla and mandible, tongue and palate. The main treatment was multimodal therapy (chemotherapy anti operations ). The five- year survival rate was 59.4%. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical manifestation of head and neck NHL is not specific and has a high misdiagnosis rate, so we must pay more attention to improve the early diagnosis and treatment of NHL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]