Extranodal lymphoma of the posterior auricle

Malignant lymphoma of the head and neck represents the most common non-epithelial head and neck cancer. Approximately one third of these occur outside of lymph nodes and have been described in most sub-sites of the head and neck.

We describe a case of an elderly woman who presented with a non-healing ulcer on the posterior aspect of her right pinna. Biopsy was performed and found to be a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. This patient was treated with chemotherapy and local radiation therapy.

This is the first reported case of an extranodal lymphoma affecting the auricle. We review lymphoma of the head and neck and the role of the otolaryngologist.