Malignant transformation of nasopharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia

Lymphadenopathy and nasal obstruction are very common in the HIV-positive patient and may or may not reveal a nasopharyngeal tumor. Biopsy is warranted if there is evidence suggestive of lymphoma or other neoplastic disease. This would include progressive rapid enlargement observed on examination or CT scan, an asymmetric growth pattern, and evidence of invasion of normal anatomic boundaries. It is certain that not all cases of adenoid hypertrophy that occurs early in the course of HIV disease represent a malignancy. Further study is needed to determine the proper timing for nasopharyngeal biopsy in the HIV-positive population. As the life span of the HIV-positive patient increases, so may the incidence of malignant degeneration.