Extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the maxillofacial region: analysis of 88 consecutive cases.

Examination of the records of 88 consecutive patients with extranodal maxillofacial non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (ENHL) was undertaken. Each patient's complete record was reviewed. Males outnumbered females by 1.7:1. Age at diagnosis ranged from 22 to 94 years (median 60.0). Affected anatomic sites included: maxillary sinus (22), nasal cavity (8), maxilla (13), mandible (8), salivary glands (14), and other (23). The most common presenting symptom was a non-painful mass. Associated dental symptoms were present in 72 patients and included intraoral swelling, pain, and loose teeth. Treatment included chemotherapy and radiation with a follow-up of 1-25 years. Treatment trends indicate a shift towards multimodal therapy. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the head and neck, if discovered early, has an excellent prognosis.