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NK T-cell lymphoma is a rare and aggressive cancer that affects natural killer cells and/or T cells. It primarily affects people of Asian or Latino descent and is sometimes associated with the Epstein-Barr virus. Symptoms often present in the nasal or sinus cavity, but can appear in other areas. Treatment options are still being researched, but the CHOP chemotherapy regimen is commonly used. The disease was discovered in 1994 and has been categorized differently, leading to slower research progress.
NK T-cell lymphoma is an aggressive type of cancer that attacks natural killer cells and/or T cells used by the immune system to fight viruses, bacteria, and cancer cells. This disease is also known as nasal-type NK lymphoma, anglocentric lymphoma, or extranodal natural killer cell lymphoma. Rare in the United States, this form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma primarily affects people of Asian or Latino descent. It is sometimes associated with the Epstein-Barr virus.
NK in T-cell lymphoma NK stands for natural killer cells. These are classified as belonging to a group of white blood cells known as lymphocytes that attack viruses and cancer cells, often found in the nasal or paranasal cavity. As of 2011, medical research had yet to determine whether NK T-cell lymphoma is caused by the destruction of natural killer cells or T cells. T cells, like NK cells, are lymphocytes that help maintain healthy cellular function . In both cases, the cells become malignant.
The term extranodal indicates that lymphoma occurs outside the lymph nodes. Symptoms will most often present in the nasal or sinus cavity, but symptoms may appear in other extranodal areas such as the trachea, on the skin, and in the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms of NK T-cell lymphoma can include necrosis in the nasal cavity leading to nosebleeds, masses in the nasal cavity or sinus, skin ulcers, and perforations in the gastrointestinal tract. A biopsy is needed to diagnose the disease. Due to the rarity of this condition, some doctors may use additional technological aids such as X-rays, PET scans, CT scans or ultrasounds to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatments for NK T-cell lymphoma are still being researched. The most common treatment is the CHOP chemotherapy regimen, named for the four drugs used: cyclophosphamide, hydroxydoxorubicin, Oncovin®, and prednisone. The CHOP regimen is given in four-week cycles, often repeated up to six times. Sometimes a combination of radiation and chemotherapy is recommended. Many doctors recommend aggressive treatment due to the typically rapid growth rate of the disease.
NK T-cell lymphoma was discovered and labeled as a unique lymphoma in 1994. The general nature of the symptoms and the fact that some symptoms occur outside the nasal region have led to different categorizations and confusion of the disease in the late 1990s. ‘1990. This variety of conflicting information has led to a slower timeline in disease research.
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