Waldeyer's ring lymphoma presenting as massive oropharyngeal hemorrhage

A case report of a patient presenting with massive oropharyngeal hemorrhage originating from lymphoma of the tonsil and it's management is discussed. Locally advanced or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma may manifest with massive oropharyngeal hemorrhage, however, it is unusual for Waldeyer's ring lymphoma to present in this fashion. Management of oropharyngeal malignancies presenting in this manner includes airway control, control of hemorrhage, and biopsy of the tumor. Hemorrhage control is provided by surgical exploration or intraarterial embolization. Extranodal lymphoma of the head and neck is not uncommon and is thoroughly discussed in the medical literature. Hemorrhage into the upper aerodigestive tract is occasionally observed in the patient with head and neck cancer. It usually occurs, however, in patients with squamous cell carcinoma that have been previously treated or in patients with locally advanced cancers. A comprehensive review of the literature has revealed no other reports of head and neck lymphoma presenting with massive oropharyngeal hemorrhage.