Tonsillar Lymphoma in Children According to Age Group: A Systematic Review

Document Type : Systematic Review

Authors

Department of Otorhinolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.

Abstract

Introduction:
Lymphoma is a common malignant tumor of the head and neck occurring during childhood. Early diagnosis is very important in terms of prognosis in patients with tonsillar lymphoma.Our objective was to evaluate the clinical manifestations of pediatric tonsillar lymphoma according to different age groups.
 Materials and Methods:
A systematic review of available English, Spanish, or Portuguese literature from January 1996 to June 2012 was performedin the BIREME, Cochrane, IBECS, Lilacs, PubMed/Medline, SCIELO, and Scopus databases, using “tonsillar lymphoma” and “children” as keywords. Inclusion criteria were pediatric case reports, patients aged up to 18 years, and information on clinical features at the time of diagnosis.
 Results:
Out of 87 identified publications, 13 articles were selected describing 53 patients. Tonsillar asymmetry was the most common sign. Snoring is a common sign in patients aged under 5 years; clinical lymphadenopathy is frequent among patients aged between 6 and 10 years; and dysphagia is a common sign in patients between 11 and 18 years of age. Burkitt’s lymphoma is the most common form among all ages studied, followed by B-cell lymphoma.
 Conclusion:
Clinical manifestations differ according to age group. However, tonsillar asymmetry is the most frequent sign regardless of age group.

Keywords

Main Subjects


1. Kaatsch P. Epidemiology of childhood cancer. Cancer Treat Rev. 2010;36:277–85.
2. Sengupta S, Pal R. Clinico pathological correlates of pediatric head and neck cancer. J Cancer Res Ther. 2009;5:181–5.
3. Mohammadianpanah M, Omidvai S, Mosalei A, Ahmadloo N. Treatment results of tonsillar lymphoma: a 10-year experience. Ann Hematol. 2005; 84:223–6.
4. Urquhart A, Berg R. Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the head and neck. Laryngoscope. 2001;111:1565–9.
5. Chi HSLee KWChiang FYTai CFWang LFYang SF, et al. Head and neck extranodal lymphoma in a single institute: A 17-year retrospective analysis. Kao J Med Sci. 2012; 28:435–41.
6. Yuen A, Jacobs C. Lymphomas of the head and neck. Semin Oncol. 1999;26:338–45.
7.Roh JL, Huh J, Moon HN. Lymphomas of the head and neck in the pediatric population. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2007;71:1471–7.
8. Guimarães ACde Carvalho GMBento LRCorrea CGusmão RJ. Clinical manifestations in children with tonsillar lymphoma: A systematic review. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2014;90:146–51.
9. Gaini RMRomagnoli MSala AGaravello W. Lymphomas of head and neck in pediatric patients. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2009;73 (Suppl 1): S65–70.
10. Guimarães ACde Carvalho GMCorrea CRGusmão RJ. Association between unilateral tonsillar enlargement and lymphoma in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2015; 93:304–11.
11. Liberati A, Altman DG, Tetzlaff J, Mulrow C, Gotzsche PC, Ioannidis JP, et al. The PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies that evaluate healthcare interventions: explanation and elaboration. BMJ. 2009; 339:b2700.
12. Dolev Y, Daniel SJ. The presence of unilateral tonsillar enlargement in patients diagnosed with palatine tonsil lymphoma: Experience at a tertiary care pediatric hospital. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2008;72:9–12.
13. Sunkaraneni VS, Jones SEM, Prasai A, Fish BM. Is unilateral tonsillar enlargement alone an indication for tonsillectomy? JLO. 2006;E21:1–4.
14.Hwang MS, Kaye KE, Waxman JA, Friedman M. What is the best management of asymptomatic unilateral tonsillar enlargement? Laryngoscope. 2015;125:2438–40.
15. Morley-Jacob C, Gallop-Evans E. An update on lymphoma in children and young adults. Paediatrics Child Health. 2011;22:92–7.
16.Papouliakos SKarkos PDKorres GKaratzias GSastry ARiga M. Comparison of clinical and histopathological evaluation of tonsils in pediatric and adult patients. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2009; 266:1309–13.
17. Gómez ST, Asenjo VP, Perera MB, Hernández IP, Giner AR, García VP. Clinical significance of unilateral tonsilar enlargement. Acta Otorrino-laringol Esp. 2009;60:194–8.
18. Vasilakaki T, Myoteri D, Tsavari A, Skafida E, Arkoumani E, Koulia K, et al. Localised extranodal non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma of the tonsil: report of a rare case. OA Case Reports. 2013;2:101.