EBV-associated cutaneous NK/T-cell lymphoma: review of a series of 14 cases from peru in children and young adults

Am J Surg Pathol. 2010 Dec;34(12):1773-82. doi: 10.1097/PAS.0b013e3181fbb4fd.

Abstract

We have reviewed clinically, morphologically, and immunophenotypically a series of 14 Epstein-Bar virus (EBV)+ cutaneous natural killer cell (NK)/T-cell lymphoma from Peru. Most (11 out of 14) of these cases fit well into the category of Hydroa vacciniforme-like lymphoma (HVLL), but 3 have a different clinical presentation, without facial involvement. In all 14 cases, skin lesions present in both the sun-exposed and nonexposed areas exhibited a slowly progressive relapsing course, changing from edema, to blistering, ulceration, and final scarring. The immunophenotype had a cytotoxic T or NK-cell lineage. The mean time of disease before admission to hospital was 69 months (range, 6 mo to 31 y). Only 2 patients had fever, hepatosplenomegaly, systemic lymphadenopathy, and a high lactate dehydrodenage (LDH) level at the time of diagnosis, whereas 10 had facial swelling. After treatment, only 4 patients remain alive, although with persistent disease. Ten patients died after a mean follow-up of 11.6 months after the initial diagnosis (range, 1 to 32 mo), because of concurrent infections (4 cases), disease progression (4 patients) or both (2 patients). Endemic Epstein-Bar virus (EBV)-positive cutaneous NK/T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders in childhood and early adulthood are characterized by a protracted clinical course, eventually leading to an aggressive phase characterized by concurrent infections and disease progression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Clone Cells
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / immunology
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / mortality
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / pathology*
  • Female
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Hydroa Vacciniforme / immunology
  • Hydroa Vacciniforme / mortality
  • Hydroa Vacciniforme / pathology*
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / pathology*
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / immunology
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / mortality
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / pathology*
  • Male
  • Peru / epidemiology
  • Skin / pathology
  • Skin / virology
  • Skin Neoplasms / immunology
  • Skin Neoplasms / mortality
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Survival Rate
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / pathology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor