Abstract:

An 81-year-old male presented with an 8-year history of recurrent ulcer on the left dorsal foot which gradually spread to involve both lower limbs. Physical examination revealed no abnormality of any organ systems and no palpable superficial lymph nodes. Skin examination showed erythematous swelling of the left dorsal foot with an ulcer sized 7 cm × 10 cm on the surface. Tendon was visible at the base of the ulcer, and the ulcer margin was elevated giving a dyke-like appearance. The perilesional skin was purple-brown. There were several millet-like papuloid lesions circularly arranged at the inner side of the right foot as well as dark erythematous or brown nodules and pigmented patches with tenderness on both lower limbs. Histopathology of the ulcer of the left dorsal foot and papuloid lesions on the right foot revealed a visible epidermotropic infiltrate in the epidermis as well as an infiltration throughout the entire dermis with medium-sized atypical lymphoid cells with obvious mitoses. Immunohistochemical examination showed the coexpression of both T cell markers （including CD3, CD45RO, CD43） and B cell marker （CD20）, with scatted positive staining for PAX-5 and negative staining for CD79α or CD19. PCR confirmed the rearrangement of T cell receptor （TCR）-γ gene. A diagnosis of peripheral T cell lymphoma unspecified was made in view of the rearrangement of TCR-γ gene and above findings. The patient was treated with the following modified CHOP regimen: intravenous cyclophosphamide 0.8 g, leurocristine 2 mg and epirubicin hydrochloride 60 mg, as well as oral prednisone 15 mg twice daily for 5 days every 3 weeks （one treatment session）. After 3 treatment sessions, the lesions improved markedly.

Key words: lymphoma