Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sowminya Arikapudi, M.B,B.S. [2]
Synonyms and keywords: SPTCL; Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma alpha/beta subtype; Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma gamma/delta subtype; SPTCL-AB; SPTCL-GD
Overview
Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTCL) is a rare type of T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma is a cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma, which preferentially infiltrates subcutaneous tissue, primarily involving the extremities and trunk. Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma may be classified into either alpha/beta subtype (SPTCL-AB) or gamma/delta subtype (SPTCL-GD). On microscopic histopathological analysis, atypical lymphoid cells, fat necrosis, and karyorrhexis are characteristic findings of subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma. Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma commonly affects young adults (35 years). Females are more commonly affected with subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma than males. Depending on the extent of the tumor at the time of diagnosis, the prognosis may vary and the 5-year survival rate of patients with subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma is approximately 80%. Symptoms of the subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma include fever, weight loss, night sweats, and painless swellings on extremities and trunk. Subcutaneous nodule biopsy is diagnostic of subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma. The predominant therapy for subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma is chemotherapy. Adjunctive radiotherapy and stem cell transplant may be required.[1][2]
Classification
Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma may be classified into either alpha/beta subtype (SPTCL-AB) or gamma/delta subtype (SPTCL-GD).
Name | Description |
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Alpha/Beta subtype (SPTCL-AB) |
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Gamma/Delta subtype (SPTCL-GD) |
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Pathophysiology
Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma is a cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma, which preferentially infiltrates subcutaneous tissue, primarily involving the extremities and trunk.[1]
Microscopic Pathology
On microscopic histopathological analysis, atypical lymphoid cells, fat necrosis, and karyorrhexis are characteristic findings of subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma.[1]
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Biopsy of soft tissue : at 10x magnification shows lymphoid infiltrate with pattern resembling lobular and septal panniculitis[3]
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Biopsy of soft tissue : at 40x magnification shows lymphoid infiltrate with abundant cytoplasm.[3]
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Biopsy of soft tissue : At 100x magnification with oil-immersion biopsy shows atypical lymphoid cells with atypical and irregular nuclei as well as numerous fat cells.[3]
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Biopsy of soft tissue : At 100x magnification with oil-immersion biopsy shows numerous single-cell necroses and atypical lymphoid infiltrate.[3]
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Biopsy of soft tissue : At 100x magnification with oil-immersion biopsy shows mitotic figure in the center with areas of necrosis and fibrosis.[3]
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Biopsy of soft tissue : At 100x magnification with oil-immersion biopsy shows mitotic figure with scattered histiocytes and area of necrosis.[3]
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Biopsy of soft tissue : At 100x magnification with oil-immersion biopsy shows area of necrotic debris.[3]
Causes
There are no established causes for subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma.
Differentiating type page name here from other Diseases
Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma must be differentiated from other diseases such as:
Epidemiology and Demographics
Age
Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma commonly affects young adults (35 years).[1]
Gender
Females are more commonly affected with subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma than males.[1]
Risk Factors
There are no established risk factors for subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma.
Screening
According to the the U.S. Preventive Service Task Force (USPSTF), there is insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening for subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma.[4]
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
- With subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma, nodules form under the skin in the subcutaneous tissue (subcutaneous nodules).[2][1]
- Usually, the nodules occur in the legs or trunk of the body.
- Skin nodules range in size from 0.5 cm to several centimeters in diameter. Larger nodules may become necrotic, ulceration is rare.
- The infiltrate involves the fat lobules, usually sparing the septa. The overlying dermis and epidermis are typically uninvolved. Dissemination to lymph nodes and other organs is rare
- People with this type of lymphoma can also develop a very serious condition where certain parts of the immune system are activated (hemophagocytic syndrome).
- Hemophagocytic syndrome causes:
- Fever
- Enlarged liver and spleen (hepatosplenomegaly)
- A lower number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in the blood (pancytopenia)
- Depending on the extent of the tumor at the time of diagnosis, the prognosis may vary and the 5-year survival rate of patients with subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma is approximately 80%
Diagnosis
Symptoms
Symptoms of the subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma include:[1]
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Night sweats
- Painless swellings on extremities and trunk
Physical Examination
Vitals
- Fever is often present
Skin
- Subcutaneous nodules
Abdomen
Laboratory Findings
Laboratory tests for subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma include:[1]
- Complete blood count (CBC): cytopenia
- Blood chemistry studies: Increased liver function tests
- Cytogenetic analysis
- Flow cytometry
- Immunophenotyping
Biopsy
Subcutaneous nodule biopsy is diagnostic of subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma.
Other Imaging Findings
CT, MRI, and PET scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma.
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Therapy | Description |
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Chemotherapy |
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Radiation therapy |
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Stem cell transplant |
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References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. http://seer.cancer.gov/seertools/hemelymph/51f6cf56e3e27c3994bd52df/. Accessed on March 08, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma. Canadian Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/non-hodgkin-lymphoma/non-hodgkin-lymphoma/types-of-nhl/subcutaneous-panniculitis-like-t-cell-lymphoma/?region=nb. Accessed on March 8, 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 An Illustrative Case of Subcutaneous Panniculitis-Like T-Cell Lymphoma. Hindawi Publishing Corporation. http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jsc/2011/824528/. Accessed on March 08, 2016
- ↑ Recommendations. U.S Preventive Services Task Force. http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/BrowseRec/Search?s=Subcutaneous+panniculitis-like+T-cell+lymphoma. Accessed on March 8, 2016