ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To improve the understanding of nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma by analyzing its phenotypic and clinicopathological features.@*METHOD@#Twenty-three cases of nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma diagnosed between 2003 and 2007 in the department of pathology of Guilin Medical College were included in the study. The expression level of TIA-1, CD56, CD3, CD20, CK and EBV markers was determined by immunohistochemistry. The results were correlated with clinicopathological features.@*RESULT@#69.9% (16/23) of the nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma occurred in the nasal cavity. All the 23 cases displayed necrosis, ulceration and nose bleeding. 39.1% (9/23) showed angiodestructive growth pattern. 21.74% (5/23) were accompanied by squamous cell carcinoma-like epitheliomatous hyperplasia. All the cases were positive for TIA-1 and CD3. 95.7% (22/23) of the cases were positive for CD56, while 21.7% (5/23) were weakly positive for EBV. None of the cases was positive for either CD20 or CK.@*CONCLUSION@#Nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma is characterized by multiple clinicopathological features. Attention is needed to differentiate the tumor from inflammatory lesions and low grade squamous cell carcinoma. Understanding of various morphological and phenotypic features (i.e. expression of TIA-1, CD56 and CD3, and lack of CD20 and CK) is the key for the diagnosis of nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma.