A case of NK/T-cell lymphoma complicated by a squamous cell carcinoma of hard palate during combination chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Abstract

NK/T-cell lymphoma, which often shows an angiocentric growth pattern, is a distinct clinicopathologic entity highly associated with Epstein-Barr virus. The disease is characterized by a destruction of the upper respiratory tract, particularly the nasal cavity, palate and paranasal sinuses. Interestingly, NK/T-cell lymphoma is closely linked to a variety of complications, such as hemophagocytic syndrome, second primary cancer, sepsis and bleeding. Here we report a case of a 50-year-old man diagnosed initially as NK/T-cell lymphoma of the oropharynx and who developed a second primary carcinoma of the hard palate during combination chemotherapy and radiation therapy.