Difference between lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma

What is the difference between lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma? Primary nasopharyngeal malignant lymphoma refers to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the head and neck that originates from or is limited to the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. In recent years, the incidence of extranodal lymphoma originating from the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses has been increasing year by year, and the clinical manifestations of the disease lack specificity, which is easy to be missed or misdiagnosed. Typical patients have painless progressive superficial lymphadenopathy; atypical patients mainly have deep lymphadenopathy. Fever is irregular, continuous or cyclical; often accompanied by lesions in other parts besides lymph nodes, such as tonsils, nasopharynx, gastrointestinal tract, bones, skin, kidneys or nerves, and corresponding symptoms.

So, what is the difference between nasopharyngeal malignant lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

First, nasopharyngeal malignant lymphoma tumors are huge and may invade the oropharynx or metastasize to the cervical lymph nodes, requiring a biopsy for identification.

Secondly, the clinical manifestations of malignant lymphoma originating from the nasopharynx are similar to those of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and the diagnosis must rely on pathological examination. However, some poorly differentiated ones, especially the small cell undifferentiated type, are difficult to distinguish from nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Even very experienced pathologists cannot avoid misdiagnosis, especially when using light microscopy examination, they must be particularly cautious.

Finally, malignant lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma respond completely differently to radiotherapy. The former can significantly reduce or eliminate local tumors with general radiotherapy doses, while the latter requires large doses to reduce tumors. In clinical practice, they are sometimes differentiated based on their sensitivity to radiation.

The above is my brief introduction to nasopharyngeal lymphoma. I hope it can help you. If you find any abnormality in your body, please seek medical attention in time.