A case of the nasal type of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma that mimicked pyoderma gangrenosum

Abstract

NK/T-cell lymphoma is rare type of lymphoproliferative disorder, but it is clinically aggressive with a poor prognosis. The World Health Organization (WHO) classified mature NK cell neoplasms into extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma nasal type and aggressive NK cell leukemia. NK/T-cell lymphoma is characterized by a strong association with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and when it involved the skin, the lesions clinically appear as deep nodules, infiltrative plaques and ulcerative plaques. We herein report on a case of the nasal type of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma that showed the immunophenotype of CD20-, CD56+ and CD45RO+, and it was positive on in situ hybridization for EBV. Our case was characterized by the clinical resemblance with pyoderma gangrenosum and this malady generally displays chronic painful ulcer and necrotic lesions.