An Unexpected Presentation of a Maxillary Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in an Elderly Hispanic Patient

Abstract

Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL), nasal type and aggressive NK cell leukemia are rare in Western World been less than 1% in USA to 8% in Asia among Non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. It is aggressive, with poor outcome and optimal treatment is unclear. A combination therapy that includes Peg-Asparaginase (SMILE) has been employed in young patients. An 85-year-old Puerto Rican male presented with anorexia, epistaxis, vertigo and involuntary facial movements. He was treated with injectable Onabotulinum toxin A due to suspicion of a hemifacial spasm. However, a CT scan demonstrated a left maxillary sinus lesion extending into the left middle turbinate with biopsy consistent with ENKTL. We adjusted therapy to patient’s age and performance receiving Gemcitabine-Oxaliplatin (Gemox) with radiation obtaining a complete response with persistent negative Epstein Barr DNA titers. ENKTL is a rare disease initially misdiagnosed in our elderly patient, who demonstrated adequate response with a modified therapeutic regime.