Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the nose and paranasal sinuses: a study of 17 cases.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the nose and paranasal sinuses occurred in 14 men and 3 women with a mean age of 61 years. Nasal obstruction, unilateral facial swelling, and nasal discharge were frequent initial manifestations. The maxillary sinus and nose were the commonest primary sites. Using Rappaport's classification, there were 9 histiocytic, 5 poorly differentiated lymphocytic, and 3 mixed histiocytic-lymphocytic lymphomas. Sixteen patients had radiation therapy to the primary site, and 9 patients later received chemotherapy. Eleven patients (69%) are dead, with a median survival time of 11 months after diagnosis. Dissemination of lymphoma was the most common cause of death. Five patients (29%) are alive up to 40 months after diagnosis. Patients with poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma survived longer than those with histiocytic or mixed histiocytic-lymphocytic lymphomas (medium survival times 35, 9, and 12 months, respectively). Poor response to radiation therapy and dissemination of lymphoma were poor prognostic indicators.