Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma originating in the paranasal sinus

A case of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) occurred in a 60-year-old woman who had a disturbance of right eye movement and visual acuity. She was born and lived in southwest Japan, an endemic area of ATLL. Rhinoscopic and roentgenologic examinations revealed a mass in the ethmoidal and sphenoidal sinuses. Histologic examination showed a diffuse lymphoma (a medium cell type with T-cell properties). The ATL (adult T-cell leukemia) cells (abnormal multi-lobed lymphocytes) were found in the peripheral blood. Human T-cell leukemia virus type I antibody was found to be 320 times positive. Based on the above findings, the patient's condition was diagnosed as ATLL, and she was treated by chemotherapy. However, the patient died due to general prostration seven months after the onset of the disease. The literature on this disease is summarized.