Extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the head and neck

Forty-six patients referred to our department between 1970 and 1982 with biopsy proven extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) of the head and neck were analysed. The median follow-up was 78 months. As a result of histological revision, six cases were excluded. By retrospective staging, 10 patients were found to have advanced disease (stage IV) at the moment of presentation, and three showed infradiaphragmatical nodes (stage III). All stage I-II patients except one were treated with radiotherapy. The 5-year actuarial relapse-free survival was 50% for the whole group, and 77% for the 26 patients who achieved complete remission after initial treatment. All stage IV patients died from lymphoma. Initial response and localised disease were the most significant prognostic features.