Follicular T-cell lymphoma: A rare entity

Abstract

Follicular T-cell lymphoma: A rare entity Background: Follicular T-cell lymphoma (FTCL) is a recently described variant of peripheral T-cell lymphoma, NOS in the World Health Organization (WHO) classifications of lymphoid neoplasms. It is a rare neoplasm and true incidence is unknown, but it likely accounts for < 1% of all T-cell neoplasms. Here we describe a rare case of Follicular T-cell lymphoma. Methods: We report a case of follicular T-cell lymphoma. Case/Results: A 48-year-old male patient was admitted with a neck mass that had been present for 4 months. Examination revealed bilateral enlarged cervical, axillary, inguinal and supraclavicular lymph nodes.Excisional biopsy of the left cervical lymph node was performed. Histopathological examination of the lymph node revealed effaced architecture with multiple closely packed nodules of varying sizes. The nodules composed of predominantly small cells with scant cytoplasm and irregular hyperchromatic nuclei. Immunohistochemically neoplastic lymphoid cells were positive for CD3, CD4, CD5, CD2, CD10, bcl-6, PD-1. Ki-67 proliferation index was 20-30 %. CD20, CD30, EBV-LMP, EBER were negative. Conclusion: Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) constitute about 12% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas, of which the unspecified category is the most common subtype. It often shows a diffuse pattern of involvement in the lymph nodes. FTCL, shows a follicular/nodular pattern and mimics follicular lymphoma. In the WHO classification, 3 morphologic patterns in FTCL are recognised as follicular lymphoma-like, progressive transformation of germinal centers-like and marginal zone lymphoma-like. Our case had a morphology similar to follicular lymphoma, and this type of follicular variant is even rarer among PTCLs.