Frequency of lymphoma among individuals with extra thyroidal neck swellings

Abstract

Objective: To assess the frequency of lymphoma in patients presenting with extra-thyroidal neck swellings.

Method: The prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Outpatient Department in the Ear-Nost-Throat Unit of Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan, from July to October 2022, and comprised patients of either gender aged 4-75 years presenting with neck swelling or lymphadenopathy. Data was recorded on a standardised proforma, and included history, clinical examination details, contrast-enhanced computed tomography scans of the head and neck, and fine-needle aspiration cytology results. Data was analysed using SPSS 24.

Results: Of the 160 patients, 100(62.5%) were males and 60(37.5%) were females. There were 60(37.5%) patients aged 21-40 years, followed by 40(25%) aged 41-60 years, 30(18.7%) aged 4-20 years and 30(18.7%) aged 60 years and above. Lymphoma was observed in 40(25%) patients. Gender and age were not significantly associated with lymphoma presence (p=0.908 and 0.639, respectively).

Conclusion: The frequency of lymphoma was 25% patients, and it was not significantly different across age and gender lines.

Key Words: Neck swellings, Lymphoma, Extra-thyroidal, Lymphadenopathy, Frequency, Epidemiology, Head and neck neoplasm, Cross-sectional studies.