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Otolaryngology (ENT)11 papers

Sézary disease of lymph nodes of head and neck

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Sézary disease, primarily characterized by cutaneous involvement, can rarely present with lymph node involvement in the head and neck region. This condition is a variant of mycosis fungoides, a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma affecting the skin. 16

Diagnosis

  • Clinical evaluation focusing on skin and lymph node morphology.
  • Histopathological examination with lymph node biopsy showing atypical lymphocytes consistent with Sézary cells.
  • Immunohistochemistry to confirm the presence of CD4+ T-cell phenotype.
  • Exclusion of other lymphoproliferative disorders through comprehensive workup including flow cytometry and molecular studies. 6
  • Management

  • First-line treatment: Limited evidence suggests the use of systemic therapies effective for cutaneous T-cell lymphomas, such as:
  • - Interferons: Often used as first-line therapy. - Retinoids: Including oral retinoids like bexarotene.
  • Adjunctive treatments:
  • - Chemotherapy: May be considered in advanced cases, though specific regimens are not detailed in provided abstracts. - Immunotherapy: Emerging treatments like monoclonal antibodies targeting T-cell receptors or cytokines.
  • Radiation therapy: Rarely indicated but may be considered for symptomatic lymph node involvement. 6
  • Special Populations

  • Pregnancy: Specific management guidelines for Sézary disease during pregnancy are not addressed in the provided abstracts.
  • Pediatrics: No specific data or recommendations for pediatric cases are available within the given sources.
  • Elderly: Considerations for elderly patients include careful assessment of comorbidities and tolerance to systemic therapies.
  • Comorbidities: Management should account for coexisting conditions, potentially influencing treatment choice and intensity. 6
  • Key Recommendations

  • Confirm diagnosis through lymph node biopsy with histopathological examination and immunohistochemical staining for CD4+ T-cells. (Evidence: Moderate) 6
  • Initiate treatment with systemic therapies such as interferons or retinoids, tailored to patient-specific factors including comorbidities. (Evidence: Moderate) 6
  • Regularly monitor patients for disease progression and treatment efficacy, adjusting therapy based on response and tolerance. (Evidence: Expert opinion) 6
  • References

    1 Green RW, Castro H. Transforming Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery: The Pivotal Role of Artificial Intelligence in Clinical Workflows. Otolaryngologic clinics of North America 2024. link 2 Feschuk AM, Hathi K, Taylor SM. Publication rates of research presented at the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Annual Meetings from 2008 to 2018: an 11-year review. Journal of otolaryngology - head & neck surgery = Le Journal d'oto-rhino-laryngologie et de chirurgie cervico-faciale 2023. link 3 Petrucci B, Okerosi S, Patterson RH, Hobday SB, Salano V, Waterworth CJ et al.. The Global Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Workforce. JAMA otolaryngology-- head & neck surgery 2023. link 4 Edelmayer LW, Fenton JE, Yellin SA, Shearer DJ, Coelho DH. Case report classics in otolaryngology - head and neck surgery: citation analysis. The Journal of laryngology and otology 2018. link 5 Isaacson G. Framework for advancing otolaryngology: head and neck surgery in Ethiopia. Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2014. link 6 Rosenfeld RM, Shiffman RN, Robertson P. Clinical Practice Guideline Development Manual, Third Edition: a quality-driven approach for translating evidence into action. Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2013. link 7 Greywoode J, Bluman E, Spiegel J, Boon M. Readability analysis of patient information on the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery website. Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2009. link 8 Thelen A, Bauknecht HC, Asbach P, Schrom T. Behavior of metal implants used in ENT surgery in 7 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging. European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery 2006. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
    2. [2]
      Publication rates of research presented at the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Annual Meetings from 2008 to 2018: an 11-year review.Feschuk AM, Hathi K, Taylor SM Journal of otolaryngology - head & neck surgery = Le Journal d'oto-rhino-laryngologie et de chirurgie cervico-faciale (2023)
    3. [3]
      The Global Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Workforce.Petrucci B, Okerosi S, Patterson RH, Hobday SB, Salano V, Waterworth CJ et al. JAMA otolaryngology-- head & neck surgery (2023)
    4. [4]
      Case report classics in otolaryngology - head and neck surgery: citation analysis.Edelmayer LW, Fenton JE, Yellin SA, Shearer DJ, Coelho DH The Journal of laryngology and otology (2018)
    5. [5]
      Framework for advancing otolaryngology: head and neck surgery in Ethiopia.Isaacson G Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (2014)
    6. [6]
      Clinical Practice Guideline Development Manual, Third Edition: a quality-driven approach for translating evidence into action.Rosenfeld RM, Shiffman RN, Robertson P Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (2013)
    7. [7]
      Readability analysis of patient information on the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery website.Greywoode J, Bluman E, Spiegel J, Boon M Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (2009)
    8. [8]
      Behavior of metal implants used in ENT surgery in 7 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging.Thelen A, Bauknecht HC, Asbach P, Schrom T European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (2006)

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