Prognostic factors of nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma

Objective: To investigate the prognostic predictors of nasal NK/T cell lymphoma.

Methods: Records of 80 patients with nasal NK/T cell lymphoma were analyzed retrospectively. The correlation between clinical and haematological factors and prognosis was analyzed with univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results: After treatment, 33 of 80 patients achieved complete response, the 5-year overall survival and progression free survival were 52.5% and 32.5%, respectively. In univariate analysis, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, Ann Arbor stage, local tumor invasion out of the nasal cavity, international prognostic index, complete response rate to the primary treatment, treatment model, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH),β2-microglobulin level, globulin and white blood cell were found to be the prognostic factors. Multivariate analysis indicated that unfavorable prognostic factors included complete response rate to the primary treatment (χ(2) = 17.109, P < 0.01), LDH(χ(2) = 15.695, P < 0.01), and local tumor invasion out of the nasal cavity (χ(2) = 13.503, P < 0.01).

Conclusions: Complete response rate to the primary treatment, elevated plasma LDH and tumor invasion out of the nasal cavity may be independent prognostic factors for NK/T cell lymphoma.