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. According to the World Health Organization-European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, SPTCL is classified under Primary Cutaneous Lymphomas and expresses the TCRαβ phenotype (SPTCL-AB). TCRγδ phenotypes are now a separate entity from SPTCL, known as the Cutaneous γδ T-cell Lymphoma. On microscopic histopathological analysis, atypical lymphoid cells, fat necrosis,and karyorrhexis are characteristic findings of subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma. 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 SPTCL include fever, weight loss, night sweats, and painless swellings on extremities and trunk. Subcutaneous nodule biopsy is diagnostic of SPTCL. The predominant therapy for SPTCL is chemotherapy. Adjunctive radiotherapy and stem cell transplant may be required.[1][2]
Classification
Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma is classifed under Primary Cutaneous Lymphomas and expresses the TCRαβ phenotype.
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