Extranodal Natural Killer/T-Cell Lymphoma in Children and Adolescents: A Report of 17 Cases in China

Objectives: To investigate the clinicopathologic features of extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL) not preceded by another Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related disorder in children and adolescents.

Methods: A series of 17 cases of ENKTL not preceded by another EBV-related disorder in children and adolescents in one institution from China was retrospectively analyzed.

Results: The patients had a median age of 13 years (range, 2-17 years), and the male to female ratio was 3.25:1. All the patients were of Chinese origin and without a history of another EBV-related disorder. The upper aerodigestive tract was involved in 14 (82.4%) cases, of which the sinonasal region was involved in 10 (58.8%) cases. Twelve (70.6%) patients had stage I/II disease. Morphologically, coagulative necrosis and angiocentric/angiodestructive growth pattern were observed in 94.1% (16/17) and 88.2% (15/17) of all cases, respectively. Thirteen (76.5%) cases were mainly composed of medium-sized cells. All cases expressed cytoplasmic CD3 and at least one marker for cytotoxic granules. CD56 expression was seen in 16 (94.1%) of 17 cases. Each case harbored EBV.

Conclusions: ENKTL not preceded by another EBV-related disorder in children and adolescents is occasionally observed in China. It tends to have a male predominance. The upper aerodigestive tract, especially the sinonasal region, is the most commonly involved site. The morphologic features and immunophenotype in children and adolescents are similar to that occurring in adults.