Journal of Clinical and Experimental Investigations

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we investigate the distribution of malign lesions in all tonsillar lesions and the compatibility with the literature.
Methods: The pathology reports and preparations of 1118 patients whose tonsillectomy and tonsil biopsy materials were assessed in Department of Pathology in Dicle University Medical Faculty between January 2006 and September 2013 are examined retrospectively and included to the study.
Results: Of 1118 patients, the diagnoses were chronic inflammation in 452 (40.43%), lymphoid hyperplasia in 226 (20.21%), chronic inflammation and lymphoid hyperplasia in 411 (36.76%), cyst in 2 (0.18%), squamous papilloma in 2 (0.18%) and malignancy was observed in 25 (2.24%). Of 25 malign cases, the diagnoses were B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 19 (76%), epidermoid carcinoma in 4 (16%), plasmacytoma in 1 (4%) and malign melanoma in 1 (4%).
Conclusion: Primary tonsillar malignancies constitute 2% of all human malignancies. Epidermoid carcinomas (75%) and lymphomas take the first and second places in frequency respectively. In our study conversely lymphomas account for 76% of all tonsillar malignancies that makes an important portion, while epidermoid carcinomas account for 16% of those. B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas constitute the vast majority of lymphomas showing tonsillar involvement. It is reported that the most frequently seen lymphoma type in tonsillar location is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Consistent with this information in our study, it is determined that 15 of 19 tonsillar lymphoma cases are diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.