Research Progression of Subcutaneous Panniculitis-like T-Cell Lymphoma--Review

Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTCL) is a very rare cutaneous malignant lymphoma derived from cytotoxic T cells that mainly involves subcutaneous adipose tissue rather than epidermis and dermis. It usually occurs in young and middle-aged population, and the etiology is currently unclear. Clinically, SPTCL is characterized by subcutaneous plaques, nodules, and skin ulcers with swell and ache, mainly presenting in limbs and trunk. SPTCL has been restricted to cases that express α/β phenotype, whereas cases with γ/δ phenotype are categorized to cutaneous γ/δ+ T cell lymphoma by WHO-EORTC classification. The standard treatment for SPTCL is not definite with a relatively good prognosis. The recent research progression of SPTCL is summarized in this review.