Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type, in Senegal.

INTRODUCTION: The distribution of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTCL) is highly inhomogeneous throughout the world. In Sub-Saharan Africa, despite the precocity of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and its endemicity, ENKTCL remains exceptionally reported. The purpose of this study was to report the epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical, and evolutionary characteristics of ENKTCL at the Aristide LeDantec University Hospital in Dakar, Senegal.

METHODOLOGY: A 5-year retrospective review of all patients with histopathological, immunohistochemical, and in situ hybridization proven cutaneous lymphomas RESULTS: We collected seven cases corresponding to a frequency of 1.4 cases per year. ENKTCL accounted for 10.5% of all cutaneous lymphomas, ranking second after T-cell lymphomas. Men were predominantly affected (M : F ratio of 6), and the mean age was 38.5 years ± 4.06. The mean time before consultation was 7.3 months. The lymphomas affected primarily the nasal cavity in five cases and the skin in two cases. At admission, six patients had nasal mucosa involvement, which was isolated in three cases, associated with cutaneous lesions in three cases and lymph node involvement in three cases. CD56 was positive in only one case, and Eber transcribed RNA of EBV was expressed by in situ hybridization in all patients.

DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, we have reported the first and largest series of ENKTCL in Sub-Saharan Africa. Our study shows an intermediate prevalence between that reported from Asia, Latin America, and the West. It was also noted a young age of patients, a prolonged diagnostic delay, a frequent negativity of CD56 marker, and a very poor prognosis of the disease in our region.