Primary Cutaneous Extranodal NK/T-Cell Lymphoma Mimicking a Large B-Cell Lymphoma (Leg Type)

Abstract

Introduction: Natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type is a distinct entity, rarely reported in sub-Saharan Africans. Although the skin is the second most common involved site after the nasal cavity, very few cases of primary cutaneous extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (PC-ENK/T-NT) have been reported so far. Their clinical features reported in the literature are variable. Case report: We report a case of a 48-year-old man with a PC-ENK/T-NT presenting as a multinodular and ulcerated tumor of 9 cm in diameter on his left leg, mimicking a large B-cell lymphoma, leg type at the onset and only developed nasal and lymph node involvement at a later stage. Conclusion: PC-ENK/T-NT in our case is remarkable by its presentation simulating a B-cell lymphoma of leg type.

Extranodal NK/T-Cell Lymphoma, Nasal Type, Extranasal and Ulcerative Blister Variant, Case Report

“…ENKTL is a subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that occurs primarily in young men from Asia and Central and South America 1 8 9 . These lymphomas originate from NK cells expressing cytoplasmic CD3 and CD56 or in T cells 8 .…”

“…Skin-localized extranasal ENKTL has a wide clinical variability, with more frequent reports of plaques, ulcers, nodules, tumors, edema ( Table 1 ), as well as nodules and plaques that have been described as abscess-like lesions and cellulitis-like, respectively. In addition, it may also occur with necrotic background ulcers and a violet border 6 9 .…”