Lymphomas of Waldeyer's ring: Clinical features, management and prognosis of eleven adult patients.

Lymphoma is the second most common neoplasm of the head and neck after squamous carcinoma. The majority of lym¬phomas involving the head and neck are non-hodgkin's lymphomas. Hodgkin's lymphoma is rare in Waldeyer's ring. Between 1999 and 2006, the medical records and pathology data of all newly diagnosed, previously untreated adult patients with Waldeyer's ring lymphomas were retrospectively reviewed. Pathologic specimens were adopted according to WHO his¬tologic classification. All patients were clinically staged with history and physical examination, routine hematologic and bio¬chemical profiles, chest X-ray, and computerized tomography of the head and neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis. All patients were treated with chemotherapy. Approximately one month after the end of the scheduled initial management, patients were restaged for evidence of residual disease with physical examination, laboratory profiles and relevant radiologic studies. Total patient number was 11 in our institution. Complete remission was achieved in 6 patients and partial remission in 3 patients; 1 patient did not achieve remission and 1 patient with anaplastic large cell lymphoma died. Patients who are alive are still being followed in our institution. The progression of patients with lymphoma is closely associated with the diagnosis, stage and histologic grade of the disease. This series characterized the clinicopathologic features and outcomes of adult patients. Our data have shown that there is relatively good survival in these diseases but more patients must be evaluated for mean¬ingful results.