There is considerable interest in lymphomas of the nasal cavity. Two papers were written on them from China. Others came in alphabetical order from Greece, Iran, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, UK and USA. Therefore, this paper concerns the Nigerian scene with special reference to the Ibo ethnic group. Two cases are deemed to be worthy of documentation.

Keywords: Lymphoma, Nasal cavity, Ibos, Nigeria

CASE REPORTS

1.     OJ, a 43 year old woman, consulted one of us (BCE) on account of nasal blockage of 2 years duration. There were occasional nose bleeds. It was noted that tumor extended into the nasal cavity more on the left side. The lesion was biopsied. Irregular masses up to 2.5 cm across were submitted to the co-author (WIBO). On microscopy, both inflammation and necrosis beclouded the appearances but typical round tumor cells of the lymphoid series grew in sheets with mitotic activity. Malignant lymphoma was diagnosed.

2.     OF, a 40 year old woman also consulted one of us (BCE) with the complaint of nasal obstruction of 2 years duration. Granular, polypoidal growth was seen in the nasal cavities especially on the right side. Biopsy was carried out, numerous small smelly fragments being sampled. On microscopy, purulent matter was seen with strips showing sheets of poorly differentiated round hyperchromatic tumor cells.

DISCUSSION

Our small series can be likened to the Malaysian 2 year old boy with Burkitt lymphoma [7]. In this context, if the above single lymphoma case of whatever type is suitable for reportage, what of 2 cases? Perhaps, it suffices to add here some aspects of the lymphoma as experienced in this developing community. Indeed, the variety did suitably manifest as the teenager who took drugs for abortion but actually died of lymphoma [12]. Other aspects of lymphoma which are already on record concern the tonsil [13], parotid gland [14], bone [15], palate [16] and breast [17].

The above publications are indicative of the local epidemiology of the lymphoma. From Greece [3], the mean age was 62 years (range 42-81) with a male dominance. Our patients are both females and they are both in their 40s. In Israel [5] the mean age was 61.75 years with a range of 24-83 years with a 1:1 male-to-female ratio.

CONCLUSION

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