Nasal-type T/natural killer cell angiocentric lymphoma, Epstein-Barr virus-associated, and showing clonal T-cell receptor gamma gene rearrangement.

Abstract

Nasal-type T/natural killer (NK) cell lymphoma, which often shows an angiocentric growth pattern, is a distinct clinicopathological entity highly associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). This tumour has a characteristic immunophenotype, whereas the cytological spectrum is broad. It is known that a clonal T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement is not found in this tumour. However, it is still unresolved as to whether the finding of a clonal TCR gene rearrangement excludes the diagnosis of nasal-type T/NK cell lymphoma. We describe a case of nasal-type T/NK cell angiocentric lymphoma, EBV-associated, and showing clonal TCR gamma gene rearrangement. The patient died of sepsis 5 months after diagnosis in spite of aggressive chemotherapy.