Cutaneous extranasal NK/T‐cell lymphoma

Abstract

Malignant neoplasm from natural killer (NK) cells are characterized by their positivity for CD56 and absence of monoclonal TCR gene rearrangement. We present the case of a 54-year-old man with a fungous mass in his left flank whose histological examination was consistent with cutaneous extranasal T/NK cell lymphoma. We review the literature and also discuss the prognosis and treatment of this variety of lymphoma.

Cutaneous natural killer (NK) / T‐cell lymphoma: nasal type with extensive facial destruction

“…Microscopically, a diffuse tissue infiltration by lymphoid cells with EBV positivity is found, often accompanied by necrosis as a result of angiodestructive growth of tumor cells. As shown in our case, extensive necrosis with vascular occlusion does not facilitate diagnosis, even repeated biopsies could be false‐negative 2,7,11,17 …”

“…NK / T‐cell lymphoma – nasal type, is a rare primary cutaneous variant of NHL being recognized as an independent entity in mature T‐cell and NK neoplasm group of the World Health Organization (WHO)/European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) classification for cutaneous lymphomas. They are characterized by specific geographic predominance within Asia and South America, Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection and aggressive and destructive course with poor prognosis is observed even in cases with a fast diagnosis and an optimal treatment 1–7 . We report one case of destructive nasal lymphoma with extensive facial involvement.…”

“…There are four types of lymphoid cells that stem cell can differentiate into: B cells, dendritic cells, T cells, and NK cells. Early stages of NK developmental pathway can still differentiate to T cells, which makes the diagnosis difficult – surface markers, used for diagnosis, can be positive in both lines 7 . Typical NK‐fenotype is CD3 – , CD56 + , myeloid, and B‐cell antigens negative, with the absence of T‐cell receptor rearrangement.…”