Extranodal lymphoproliferative disorders of the oropharynx, oral cavity and sinonasal tract: a review of the more common histological entities presenting at these sites.

Abstract

Lymphomas account for approximately 14% of all malignant neoplasms in the head and neck region. Extranodal classic Hodgkin lymphoma is uncommon with non-Hodgkin Lymphomas (NHLs) occurring in extranodal sites with much greater frequency, estimated between 10 and 35% of all NHL cases. Among extranodal NHLs in the head and neck region, B-cell NHLs are by far the more dominant with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), NOS, being the most common histological subtype. The most widely recognized risk factor for the development of extranodal NHLs is congenital or induced immunodeficiency, such as HIV. In addition, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is strongly associated with extranodal lymphomas in the head and neck region. In this review, we examine a selection of extranodal lymphoproliferative disorders that occur in the oropharynx, oral cavity and sinonasal tract with a description of hallmark histological features and key immunohistochemical findings. Copyright © 2026 Published by Elsevier Ltd.