Abstract

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma is the generic group given to a family of tumors composed of neoplastic lymphocytes with phenotypic features of peripheral T-cells. Certain peripheral T-cell lymphomas develop a hemophagocytic syndrome that mimics malignant histiocytosis, both clinically and pathologically. We experienced a case of nasal T-cell lymphoma, histologically mimicking malignant histiocytosis in a 40-year-old male. The chief complaints were nasal obstruction and intermittent mild fever. Mild anemia, elevated SGOT and SGPT, polyclonal gammophthy, and moderate hepatomegaly were present. Two weeks later was present an enlarged cervical lymph node. The biopsied nasal mass showed angiocentric and angiodestructive peripheral T-cell lymphoma withextensive necrosis and marked erythrophagocytosis by non-neoplastic histiocytes. Subsequently, cervical lymph node was biopsied, which showed peripheral T-cell ltmphoma with extensive necrosis and erythrophagocytosis as well. The atypical lymphoid cells revealed pan-T(+), but CD4(-) and CD8(-), whereas the reactive histiocytes showed lysozyme(+), immunohistochemistry.

• Keywords: Peripheral T-cell lymphoma;Hemophagocytic syndrome;Extranodal lymphoma