Cutaneous γ/δ T-cell lymphoma: A histopathologic mimicker of lupus erythematosus profundus (lupus panniculitis)

• Published in: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Vol. 56; no. 4; pp. 643 - 647
• Main Authors: Aguilera, Paula, MD, Mascaró, J.M., MD, Martinez, Antonio, MD, Esteve, Jordi, MD, Puig, Susana, MD, Campo, Elias, MD, Estrach, Teresa, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Mosby, Inc 01.04.2007; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Biopsy, Needle; Dermatology; Diagnosis, Differential; Disease Progression; Follow-Up Studies; Genes, T-Cell Receptor gamma - genetics; Genetic Markers; Hematologic and hematopoietic diseases; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Leukemias. Malignant lymphomas. Malignant reticulosis. Myelofibrosis; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous - classification; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous - diagnosis; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous - pathology; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Panniculitis, Lupus Erythematosus - diagnosis; Panniculitis, Lupus Erythematosus - pathology; Risk Assessment; World Health Organization; AST; TCR; World Health Organization; EORTC; hemophagocytic syndrome; atypical lymphocytic lobular panniculitis; alanine aminotransferase; cutaneous γ/δ T-cell lymphomas; lactate dehydrogenase; ALT; HPS; CGD-TCL; aspartate aminotransferase; T-cell receptor; ALLP; LDH; lupus erythematosus panniculitis; Revised European-American Classification of Lymphoid Neoplasms; LEP; subcutaneous panniculitic T-cell lymphomas; SPTCL; REAL; European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer; WHO; Immunopathology; Connective tissue disease; Skin disease; Dermatology; Lupus erythematosus profundus; Autoimmune disease; Malignant hemopathy; Lymphoma; Anatomic pathology; Chronic; Histopathology; Lymphoproliferative syndrome; Systemic disease; T-Lymphocyte
• ISSN: 0190-9622; 1097-6787
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2006.08.029

In the newly revised World Health Organization (WHO)–European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) consensus classification for cutaneous lymphomas, cutaneous γ/δ T-cell lymphoma (CGD-TCL) has been included as a provisional entity. This type of lymphomas, when involving the subcutaneous fat, can mimic both clinically and histologically other more indolent conditions, such as subcutaneous panniculitic T-cell lymphomas (SPTCL) and lupus erythematosus profundus (LEP), and multiple biopsies may be needed to obtain a correct diagnosis. A good correlation of the clinical data with the histopathology and immunohistochemistry are required for diagnosis. Herein, we describe a patient whose initial histopathologic findings ressembled LEP but presented an aggressive clinical course. A new biopsy was performed during the follow-up, and a final diagnosis of CGD-TCL was made.