Hodgkin's disease of the nasopharynx: diagnostic and therapeutic approach with a review of the literature

• Published in: Annals of hematology 2002-09, Vol.81 (9), p.514-516
• Main Authors: ANSELMO, A. P, CAVALIERI, E, CARDARELLI, L, GIANFELICI, V, OSTI, F. M, PESCARMONA, E, MAURIZI ENRICI, R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Combined Modality Therapy; Disease-Free Survival; Follow-Up Studies; Hematologic and hematopoietic diseases; Hodgkin Disease - diagnosis; Hodgkin Disease - therapy; Humans; Incidence; Leukemias. Malignant lymphomas. Malignant reticulosis. Myelofibrosis; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms - diagnosis; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms - therapy; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Remission Induction; Tumors; Upper respiratory tract, upper alimentary tract, paranasal sinuses, salivary glands: diseases, semeiology
• ISSN: 0939-5555; 1432-0584
• DOI: 10.1007/s00277-002-0504-1

The lymphoid tissues of Waldeyer's ring, including the nasopharynx, are rarely involved in Hodgkin's disease (HD). Between March 1977 and July 2001, about 2150 patients affected by HD were observed in our institute; 7 of them (0.32%), all male patients, had HD of the nasopharynx. They had no symptoms and blood tests were normal. All patients were treated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy and achieved complete remission. At a median follow-up of 72 months, they are alive and in continuous complete remission. We conclude that Hodgkin's disease of the nasopharynx is a rare and predominantly male disease with a particularly favorable prognosis. Bone marrow biopsy could be avoided. We believe that two to four cycles of a chemotherapeutic regimen and involved field radiotherapy at an intermediate-high dosage (25-30 Gy) could be the first line treatment for these patients.