Hepatosplenic T cell lymphoma: a rare case report

Hepatosplenic T cell lymphoma is a rare form of extra nodal and systemic neoplasm derived from cytotoxic T cells and represents less than 1 % of all non Hodgkins lymphoma. Here we present a case of hepatosplenic T cell lymphoma in a 30 year old male who presented with icterus, pancytopenia and hepatosplenomegaly, highlighting the diagnostic conundrum and pointers towards an accurate diagnosis. Histologically the sinusoids of liver and splenic red pulp were infiltration by CD 3 positive neoplastic lymphoid cells. The pattern of marrow involvement was very subtle and diagnosis was difficult to establish without the help of immunohistochemistry. This case highlights the importance of considering hepatosplenic T cell lymphoma as differential diagnosis in the clinical setting of pancytopenia with hepatosplenomegaly to allow timely diagnosis of these aggressive neoplasms.