Therapeutic methods used in the treatment of malignant lymphomas of the head and neck

Abstract

Malignant lymphoma is one of the topical problem of modern medicine. Among head and neck malignancies, lymphoma is the second most common cause. Most of the extranodal lymphomas are represented by non‑Hodgkin’s lymphomas. Non‑Hodgkin’s lymphomas localized in the upper aerodigestive tract are classified into three categories, depending on the frequency of these types: oral cavity lymphomas, pharynx and Waldeyer’s ring lymphoma, nasal sinuses, throat, pharynx and trachea lymphomas. Main therapeutic approaches used in the therapy of malignant lymphomas are: conventional chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, „salvage“ therapy, interferon therapy, monoclonal antibody therapy, bone marrow transplant, peptides treatment. Cytotoxic chemotherapy is the main treatment for medium and high grade malignant lymphomas. However, studies have shown increased toxicity and did not find a significant benefit compared to the use of CHOP cure (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone), both in terms of survival at 3 years and time until therapeutic success. Using third generation of therapeutic protocols allows to achieve complete remission in approximately 50% of non‑Hodgkin’s lymphoma cases. Considering the endeavor to diagnose correctly and to adopt an appropriate therapy of a malignant lymphoma suitable in head and neck area , a complex approach, with integration of clinical, morphological and cytogenetic elements, interdisciplinary collaboration between pathologist, hematologist, oncologist, radiotherapist, nutritionist, psychologist, represents the most justified method for a patient with malignant lymphoma.

Keywords

• head and neck lymphoma
• chemotherapy
• radiotherapy