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Background Panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma is an uncommon type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, occurring usually in the form of nodules within the subcutaneous fat tissue of the extremities or trunk. In the literature, subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTCL) is described as a distinct type of T-cell lymphoma with a variable clinical behavior, depending on molecular phenotype of T-cell receptor (TCR) and on the presence or absence of hemophagocytic syndrome. Case presentation We present a bioptic and autoptic case of a 65-years old Caucasian man with panniculitic T-cell lymphoma with morphological and immunohistochemical features of SPTCL, limited to the retroperitoneal and mesenteric mass, i.e. without any cutaneous involvement, and associated with severe hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Conclusion A panniculitic T-cell lymphoma with morphological and molecular features of SPTCL, which is limited to mesentery, i.e. does not involve subcutaneous fat, seems to be exceedingly rare.

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Cytokeratins (CKs) are widely expressed in various types of carcinomas, whereas in CRC it is usually CK7 − and CK20 + . A subset of CRCs is CK7 + . This study aims to determine the prevalence of CK7 expression in CRC and its impact on overall survival. We analyzed 300 randomly selected surgically treated CRC cases using paraffin embedded tumor tissue samples and evaluated CK7 and CK20 expression using the tissue microarray method. Tumors with positivity > 10% and > 25% of tumor cells were considered CK7 and CK20 positive, respectively. Expression of both CKs and several clinical-pathological variables (stage, grade, laterality, mismatch-repair/MMR status) were evaluated using patient follow up data (Kaplan–Meier analysis of cancer-specific survival (CSS)). Significant results include shorter CSS (restricted mean 4.98 vs. 7.74 years, P = 0.007) and 5-year survival (29.4% vs. 64.6%, P = 0.0221) in CK7 + tumors compared to CK7 − tumors, respectively; without significant association with grade, stage or right-sided location. These results were significant in a multivariate analysis. CK20 + tumors are more frequently MMR-proficient and left-sided. MMR-deficient tumors are more frequently right-sided and had longer survival. CK7 expression, right-sided location (rmean CSS 6.83 vs. 8.0 years, P = 0.043), MMR-proficiency (rmean CSS 7.41 vs. 9.32 years, P = 0.012), and UICC stages III + IV (rmean CSS 6.03 vs. 8.92 years, P < 0.001) of the tumor correlated with negative prognostic outcomes, whereas the most significant results concern stage and CK7 positivity. The result concerning negative prognostic role of CK7 differs from those obtained by several previous studies focused on this topic.