Diagnostic Interval in Extranodal Non-Hodgkin Head and Neck Lymphomas

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Hematology
• Diagnostic Medicine

Background:

• Primary extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphomas (PE-NHL) in the head and neck are rare malignancies.
• Understanding the diagnostic interval (DI) is crucial for timely treatment and improved patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure the diagnostic interval (DI) for head and neck PE-NHL.
• To identify clinicopathological factors associated with shorter DI in PE-NHL.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective observational study of patients diagnosed between 2005 and 2016 in northwestern Spain.
• Analysis of electronic health records from the SERGAS public health system.
• DI as the dependent variable, with clinicopathological data as exposure variables.

Main Results:

• PE-NHLs commonly occurred in Waldeyer's ring, presented with a B phenotype, and had a median DI of 65 days.
• Shorter DIs were linked to comorbidities (p=0.02), dysphagia (p=0.04), high proliferative activity (Ki67 > 80%, p=0.04), and advanced stages (p=0.004).
• Dysphagia showed a significant association with a shorter DI in univariate analysis.

Conclusions:

• Increased awareness of head and neck PE-NHL and their presenting symptoms is needed.
• Earlier diagnosis, potentially facilitated by recognizing symptoms like dysphagia, can lead to better outcomes for PE-NHL patients.