Cytodiagnosis of extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type: Report of two cases

Extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (NK/T) is relatively rare, associated with aggressive behavior and poor prognosis. Histopathological findings, immunohistochemical study, and Epstein-Barr virus-encoded ribonucleic acid in situ hybridization are essential for the diagnosis. There are a few case reports in the literature describing the cytological findings of these uncommon lymphomas. We herein describe cytological findings in two cases of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type presenting as lacrimal gland and/or nasal masses. Fine-needle aspiration smears revealed small to medium-sized lymphoid cells showing irregular nuclear outline, moderate amounts of light basophilic cytoplasm containing fine azurophilic granules in most of the cells. Some of these atypical lymphoid cells showed tongue-like projections of cytoplasm from one or both sides of the cells. Histopathological examination revealed typical angoicentric, angiodestructive growth pattern of these lymphomas.