Head and Neck Lymphoproliferative Lesions

AbstractLymphoproliferative lesions can manifest as local or systemic diseases involving the head and neck region. This brief article will center on representative cases of some common and unusual lymphoproliferative lesions. Although malignant lymphomas will be the bulk of the discussion (Richter transformation of small lymphocytic lymphoma, nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma transforming to disuse large B-cell lymphoma, ALK− anaplastic large cell lymphoma and extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type), a few nonmalignant entities will also be briefly discussed (co-occurrence of Rosai–Dorfman disease and Langerhans cell histiocytosis). In reviewing these cases, we will give the clinical scenario and describe the morphologic findings and helpful ancillary studies used in making the diagnosis. Following the cases, there will be a brief discussion regarding the disease category.