[Primary extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the head and neck]

Primitive extranodal head and neck non-Hodgkin's lymphoma represents 10% of total non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas and 5% of total head and neck malignant tumors, preferably 55-65 years old males. The aim of this study was to review the literature and to compare the available data with our cases, particularly referring to the results of therapy. We studied 7 cases of primitive extranodal head and neck non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (5 male and 2 females, mean age 58 years) observed between 1989 and 1994. All patients were treated with polychemotherapy, 2 of them with combined therapy. After a mean follow-up of 44 months, 6 patients (85.7%) still are in complete remission. Primary extranodal head and neck non-Hodgkin's lymphomas present peculiar clinical features compared to other lymphomas. The best treatment is the polychemotherapy (including anthracycline) associated (combined) with radiotherapy. A minimal follow-up of 5 years is required, also considering nodal and extranodal relapses not adjacent to the beginning site.