Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the nasopharynx. A case report

Abstract

Lymphomas are a heterogeneous group of diseases that originate in the lymphatic system that has increased its frequency, even in the area of Otolaryngology. A case of 42 year old man of mixed race is presented. He had a history of working in damp basements and enclosed areas and develops a catarrhal process that begins with otalgia and hearing loss and so he goes to consultation and receives treatment but does not respond to it. The patient says that it starts with nasal bleeding mixed with mucus. He continues with nasopharyngeal secretions and does not improve. Then he goes for consultation after 15 days presenting speech disorders and enlargement with lymphadenopathy in outer corner of the right mandible, accompanied by a pain in the ear on that side that is not relieved with analgesics. He also presents a loss weight. On physical examination, in the anterior rhinoscopy, pale and hypertrophic turbinate were found. In the oropharingoscopy, atrophic tonsils, small, with palatal veil paralysis and tongue deviation to the right with a marked decrease in muscle tone were observed. The posterior rhinoscopy showed there was pink tumor, vegetative, occupying upper portion of the nasopharynx and extending laterally with white image from which a biopsy sample was taken. The result shows a diffuse non-Hodgkin malignant lymphoma showing small-cleaved cells.