Abstract:
To investigate the clinicopathologic features of cutaneous extranodal natural killer (NK)/T cell lymphoma, nasal type ( ENKTCL-N ). Methods: Seven cases of extranodal NK/T cell lymphomas were retrospectively studied. The cutaneous manifestations, clinical data, laboratory examinations, and pathological data were analyzed. Results: Five males and two female patients were recruited in this study. The average patient age was 41.7 years. The skin lesions in these cases were multiple and pleomorphic. The skin lesions of six patients ( 85.7% ) involved limbs. Chronic ulcers were prominently present in all patients. The ulcers varied in size and shape, round, elliptical, deep, and with regular edge. Extracutaneous lesions were found in six cases ( 85.7% ). Four of the patients ( 57.1% ) died and the remaining three cases ( 42.9% ) survived with the disease. Six patients ( 85.7% ) had abnormalities in the lymphocyte subsets and six cases were positive for Epstein–Barr virus antibodies in the peripheral blood. Histopathology of the skin lesions showed dense tumor cell infiltration into the dermis and subcutaneous fat. The tumor cells were of medium size with nuclear mitoschisis. The results of the immunohistochemistry showed the tumor cells were positive for CD45RO/UCHL-1 and EBER in seven cases and CD56 in three cases. Conclusion: Multiple and pleomorphic skin lesions and chronic ulcers could be clues for diagnosis. Abnormalities in the lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood can help diagnose ENKTCL-N. Histopathologic and immunohistochemical data are needed for a definitive diagnosis.